Comoros - KM - COM - COM - Africa

embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the US Ambassador to Madagascar is accredited to Comoros

0-14 years: 32.6% (male 146,480/female 146,626)

15-64 years: 62.8% (male 271,139/female 294,231)

65 years and over: 4.6% (2024 est.) (male 18,139/female 23,526)

12 10 S, 44 15 E

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, D.C.

18-25 years of age for 2-year voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2021)

For centuries prior to colonization in the 19th century, the Comoros archipelago in the Indian Ocean served as a key node in maritime trade networks that connected the Middle East, India, and eastern African regions. Composed of the islands of Anjouan, Mayotte, Moheli, and Grande Comore, Comoros spent most of the 20th century as a colonial outpost until it declared independence from France on 6 July 1975. Residents of Mayotte, however, voted to remain in France, and the French Government has since classified it as a French Overseas Department.

Since independence, Comoros has weathered approximately 20 successful and attempted coups, mostly between 1975 and 2000, resulting in prolonged political instability and stunted economic development. In 2002, President AZALI Assoumani became the first elected president following the completion of the Fomboni Accords, in which the islands of Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli agreed to rotate the presidency among the islands every five years. This power-sharing agreement also included provisions allowing each island to maintain its local government. In 2007, Mohamed BACAR effected Anjouan's de-facto secession from the Union of the Comoros, refusing to step down when Comoros' other islands held legitimate elections. The African Union (AU) initially attempted to resolve the political crisis with sanctions and a naval blockade of Anjouan, but in 2008, the AU and Comoran soldiers seized the island. The island's inhabitants generally welcomed the move. In 2011, Ikililou DHOININE won the presidency in peaceful elections widely deemed to be free and fair. In closely contested elections in 2016, AZALI won a second term, when the rotating presidency returned to Grande Comore. In 2018, a referendum -- which the opposition parties boycotted -- approved a new constitution that extended presidential term limits and abolished the requirement for the presidency to rotate between the three main islands. AZALI formed a new government later that year, and he subsequently ran and was reelected in 2019. AZALI was reelected again in January 2024 in an election that the opposition disputed but the Supreme Court validated.

deforestation; soil degradation and erosion results from forest loss and from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; marine biodiversity affected as soil erosion leads to the silting of coral reefs

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

lowest 10%: 1.6% (2014 est.)

highest 10%: 33.6% (2014 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

cloves, ships, essential oils, vanilla, scrap iron (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Indonesia 25%, India 23%, Turkey 16%, UAE 11%, USA 3% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

3 islands; Anjouan (Ndzuwani), Grande Comore (N'gazidja), Moheli (Mwali)

bananas, coconuts, cassava, yams, maize, taro, milk, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pulses (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

National Army for Development (l'Armee Nationale de Developpement, AND): Comoran Defense Force (Force Comorienne de Defense or FCD; includes Comoran National Gendarmerie); Ministry of Interior: Coast Guard, Federal Police, National Directorate of Territorial Safety (customs and immigration) (2024)

note 1: when the Gendarmerie serves as the judicial police, it reports to the Minister of Justice; the Gendarmerie also has an intervention platoon that may act under the authority of the Interior Minister

note 2: the FCD is also known as the Comoran Security Force

revenues: $223 million (2018 est.)

expenditures: $228 million (2018 est.)

name: Moroni

geographic coordinates: 11 42 S, 43 14 E

time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name means "at the place of fire," referring to the capital's location below the active volcano Mt. Karthala

refined petroleum, poultry, rice, flavored water, additive manufacturing machines (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)

340 km

history: previous 1996, 2001; newest adopted 30 July 2018

amendment process: proposed by the president of the union or supported by at least one third of the Assembly of the Union membership; adoption requires approval by at least three-quarters majority of the total Assembly membership or approval in a referendum

note: a referendum held on 30 July 2018 - boycotted by the opposition - overwhelmingly approved a new constitution that allows for 2 consecutive 5-year presidential terms while retaining the rotating presidency within the islands

Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
454.991 (2023 est.)
467.184 (2022 est.)
415.956 (2021 est.)
430.721 (2020 est.)
439.463 (2019 est.)

chief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2016) 

head of government: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2016)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term; election last held on 14 January 2024 (next to be held in 2029)

election results:
2024: AZALI Assoumani reelected president in first round - AZALI Assoumani (CRC) 63%, SALIM ISSA Abdallah (PJ) 20.3%, DAOUDOU Abdallah Mohamed (Orange Party) 5.9%, Bourhane HAMIDOU (independent) 5.1%

2019: AZALI Assoumani elected president in first round - AZALI Assoumani (CRC) 60.8%, Ahamada MAHAMOUDOU (PJ) 14.6%, Mouigni Baraka Said SOILIHI (independent) 5.6%, other 19%

note: the president is both chief of state and head of government

four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue, with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a vertical white crescent moon with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, N'gazidja, Ndzuwani, and Mahore (Mayotte - department of France, but claimed by Comoros)

note: the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam

total: 849 km

paved: 673 km

unpaved: 207 km (2019)

6 July 1975 (from France)

fishing, tourism, perfume distillation

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of 7 judges)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges - selection and term of office NA

subordinate courts: Court of Appeals (in Moroni); Tribunal de première instance; island village (community) courts; religious courts


 

 

total: 0 km

agricultural land: 71.5% (2022 est.)

arable land: 34.9% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 28.5% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 8.1% (2022 est.)

forest: 17.2% (2022 est.)

other: 11.3% (2022 est.)

mixed legal system of Islamic religious law, the French civil code of 1975, and customary law

legislature name: Assembly of the Union (Assemblée de l'Union)

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 33 (all directly elected)

electoral system: plurality/majority

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 1/12/2025 to 2/16/2025

parties elected and seats per party: Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros (CRC) (20); Orange Party (2); Independents (2)

percentage of women in chamber: 15.2%

expected date of next election: January 2030

note: opposition parties, which claimed there was "gross fraud" during the most recent election, boycotted the elections in 2020 and 2025

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 62%

male: 67%

female: 56.9% (2021)

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

ACP, AfDB, AMF, AOSIS, AU, CAEU (candidates), COMESA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Independence Day, 6 July (1975)

noun: Comoran(s)

adjective: Comoran

fish

important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel; the only Arab League country that lies entirely in the Southern Hemisphere

small trade-based island economy; declining remittances; new structural and fiscal reforms; adverse cyclone and COVID-19 impacts; manageable debts; fragile liquidity environment; large foreign direct investment; state-owned enterprises suffering

Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC
Juwa Party (Parti Juwa) or PJ
Orange Party (2020)

18 years of age; universal

general assessment: Comoros launched a special program for the construction of a wireless network to inter connect the 3 islands of the archipelago; telephone service limited to the islands' few towns (2020)

domestic: fixed-line connections less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage about 104 per 100 persons (2021)

international: country code - 269; landing point for the EASSy, Comoros Domestic Cable System, Avassa, and FLY-LION3 fiber-optic submarine cable system connecting East Africa with Europe; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion (2019)

volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills

federal presidential republic

conventional long form: Union of the Comoros

conventional short form: Comoros

local long form: Udzima wa Komori (Comorian)/Union des Comores (French)/Al Ittihad al Qumuri (Arabic)

local short form: Komori (Comorian)/Les Comores (French)/Juzur al Qamar (Arabic)

former: Comorian State, Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros

etymology: name derives from the Arabic al qamar, meaning "the moon"

Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique

Africa

1.3 sq km (2012)

chief of mission: Ambassador Issimail CHANFI (since 23 December 2020); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN

chancery: Permanent Mission to the UN, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 495, New York, NY 10017

telephone: [1] (212) 750-1637

FAX: [1] (212) 750-1657

email address and website:
comoros@un.int

https://www.un.int/comoros/

percent of population: 27% (2021 est.)

.km

$1.352 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

1.2 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

total: 11 years

male: 11 years

female: 11 years (2014)

urban population: 30.1% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 2.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

national state-owned TV station and a TV station run by Anjouan regional government; national state-owned radio; regional governments on the islands of Grande Comore and Anjouan each operate a radio station; a few independent and small community radio stations operate on the islands of Grande Comore and Moheli, and these two islands have access to Mayotte Radio and French TV

improved:

urban: 97.4% of population

rural: 88.5% of population

total: 91% of population

unimproved:

urban: 2.6% of population

rural: 11.5% of population

total: 8.9% of population (2017 est.)

name: "Udzima wa ya Masiwa" (The Union of the Great Islands)

lyrics/music: Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE/Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE and Kamildine ABDALLAH

note: adopted 1978

62,000 MORONI (capital) (2018)

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

four five-pointed stars and crescent moon; national colors: green, white

23 years (2012 est.)

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

19.4% (2012)

household consumption: 100.1% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 9.3% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 12.7% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 13% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -35% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

total dependency ratio: 74.1

youth dependency ratio: 66.6

elderly dependency ratio: 7.5

potential support ratio: 13.3 (2021 est.)

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Comoros

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

the capital city of Maroni, located on the western side of the island of Grande Comore, is the country's largest city; however, of the three islands that comprise Comoros, it is Anjouan that is the most densely populated as shown in this population distribution map

electrification - total population: 89.9% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas: 100%

electrification - rural areas: 82.9%

number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 9

D6

improved:

urban: 62.4% of population

rural: 43.6% of population

total: 49% of population

unimproved:

urban: 37.6% of population

rural: 56.4% of population

total: 51% of population (2017 est.)

Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava

Muslim 98.1% (overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim, small Shia Muslim and Ahmadiyya Muslim populations), ethnic religionist 1.1%, Christian 0.6%, other 0.3% (2020 est.)

note: Sunni Islam is the state religion

Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (official; similar to Swahili), Comorian

China 24%, UAE 21%, Tanzania 12%, France 7%, India 6% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

highest point: Karthala 2,360 m

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

0.42 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

6.3% of GDP (2021)

the focus for the security forces is search and rescue operations and maintaining internal security; a defense treaty with France provides naval resources for the protection of territorial waters, training of Comoran military personnel, and air surveillance; France maintains a small maritime base and a Foreign Legion contingent on neighboring Mayotte (2024)

the AND is lightly armed and equipped with small arms and a few light aircraft (2023)

estimated 600 Defense Force personnel; estimated 500 Federal Police (2023)

municipal: 4.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 500,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 4.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

municipal solid waste generated annually: 91,013 tons (2015 est.)

particulate matter emissions: 14.37 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.2 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.19 megatons (2020 est.)

imports: 2,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 3,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

1.28 (2024 est.)

61.2% (2023 est.)

22.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
22.68% of GDP (2022 est.)
22.22% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

total ports: 4 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 0

small: 0

very small: 4

ports with oil terminals: 3

key ports: Dzaoudzi, Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudu

235,000 (2023 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

total: 10.9% (2023 est.)

male: 9.9% (2023 est.)

female: 12.2% (2023 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

-2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

total: 22.7 years (2024 est.)

male: 22.1 years

female: 23.3 years

$319.436 million (2023 est.)

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

217 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

$324.561 million (2023 est.)
$283.746 million (2022 est.)
$329.672 million (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

32.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

2.61 children born/woman (2024 est.)

5.8% (2023 est.)
5.85% (2022 est.)
5.86% (2021 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

total: 900,141 (2024 est.)

male: 435,758

female: 464,383

436,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 436,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

total : 2,235 sq km

land: 2,235 sq km

water: 0 sq km

25.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

$2.975 billion (2023 est.)
$2.889 billion (2022 est.)
$2.816 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

3 (2025)

total: 54.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 64.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 44.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total subscriptions: 934,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 100 (2022 est.)

45.3 (2014 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

1% (2017 est.)
1.8% (2016 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

-$24.621 million (2023 est.)
-$5.248 million (2022 est.)
-$4.076 million (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$3,500 (2023 est.)
$3,500 (2022 est.)
$3,400 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

total: 3,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1

total: 20.3% (2020 est.)

male: 29.5% (2020 est.)

female: 11.1% (2020 est.)

7.8% (2016)

7.139 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

6.4 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

21.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

installed generating capacity: 32,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 113.052 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 22.1 million kWh (2023 est.)

total: 273 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 17, container ship 7, general cargo 125, oil tanker 36, other 88

$504.036 million (2023 est.)
$480.268 million (2022 est.)
$415.965 million (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$148.455 million (2023 est.)
$166.032 million (2022 est.)
$128.331 million (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

total subscriptions: 9,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2023 est.) less than 1

total: 0.18 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total population: 67.8 years (2024 est.)

male: 65.5 years

female: 70.2 years

3% (2023 est.)
2.6% (2022 est.)
2.11% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

0% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

agriculture: 37.2% (2023 est.)

industry: 9% (2023 est.)

services: 49.6% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

1.39% of GDP (2018 est.)

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

2.6% of GDP (2015 est.)

1.3% (2024 est.)