Comoros

Country Summary

2022 population pyramid

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