Country Summary
Introduction
Background
The archipelago of the Comoros in the Indian Ocean, composed of the islands of Anjouan, Moheli, and Grande Comore, declared independence from France on 6 July 1975.
Geography
Area
total: 2,235 sq km
land: 2,235 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate
tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Natural resources
fish
People and Society
Population
888,378 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Languages
Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (official; similar to Swahili) (Comorian)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 98%, other (including Shia Muslim, Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Protestant) 2%
Population growth rate
1.34% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
federal presidential republic
Capital
name: Moroni
Executive branch
chief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2016); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2016)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 24 members directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed and 9 members indirectly elected by the 3 island assemblies; members serve 5-year terms) (2017)
Economy
Economic overview
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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$2.653 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$3,200 (2021 est.)
Agricultural products
coconuts, cassava, rice, bananas, pulses nes, milk, taro, sweet potatoes, maize, cloves
Industries
fishing, tourism, perfume distillation
Exports
$139.575 million (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
France 32%, India 23%, Germany 10%, Turkey 9%, Madagascar 7% (2019)
Exports - commodities
cloves, essential oils, vacuum flask, vanilla, scrap vessels (2019)
Imports
$407 million (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
China 22%, United Arab Emirates 16%, France 11%, Pakistan 9%, India 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities
rice, chicken products, refined petroleum, cement, cars (2019)
Exchange rates
Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar -
415.956 (2021 est.)
Page last updated: Wednesday, February 22, 2023
