CapitalMoroni
Population911,707
Area2,235 km²
GDP per capita$3,600
LanguagesArabic , French , Shikomoro , Comorian
CurrencyComoran francs
Life Expectancy67.8 yr
Governmentfederal presidential republic
Introduction
Background
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.
Geography
Area
land
2,235 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
2,235 sq km
Climate
tropical marine climate; wet season lasts from November to May
Terrain
composed of volcanic islands, with landscapes ranging from steep mountains to gentle hills
Land use
other
10.7% (2023 est.)
forest
17.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
71.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 34.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 28.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 8.1% (2023 est.)
Location
located in Southern Africa, this archipelago sits at the northern entrance of the Mozambique Channel, approximately two-thirds of the distance between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Coastline
340 km
Elevation
lowest point
Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point
Karthala 2,360 m
Irrigated land
1.3 sq km (2012)
Map references
Africa
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
cyclones may occur during the rainy season (December to April); notable volcanic activity has been recorded on Grand Comore
volcanism: Karthala (2,361 m) on Grand Comore Island had its most recent eruption in 2007; the eruption in 2005 necessitated the evacuation of thousands of residents and generated a significant ash cloud
Geography - note
strategically significant position at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel; it is the sole Arab League member state entirely located in the Southern Hemisphere
Natural resources
fish
Area - comparative
a bit over twelve times larger than Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates
12 10 S, 44 15 E
Population distribution
the capital, Maroni, located on the western coast of Grande Comore, is the largest city in the nation; however, Anjouan is the most densely populated of the three islands that make up Comoros, as illustrated in this population distribution map
People & Society
Literacy
male
79.9% (2021 est.)
female
72.2% (2021 est.)
total population
75.8% (2021 est.)
Languages
Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (official; akin to Swahili), Comorian
Religions
Muslim 98.1% (predominantly Sunni Muslim, with minor communities of Shia Muslim and Ahmadiyya Muslim), ethnic religionist 1.1%, Christian 0.6%, other 0.3% (2020 estimate)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.92 male(s)/female
total population
0.94 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.77 male(s)/female
Birth rate
21.12 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
6.38 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
22.1 years
total
23.1 years (2025 est.)
female
23.3 years
Population
male
441,215
total
911,707 (2025 est.)
female
470,492
Nationality
noun
Comoran(s)
adjective
Comoran
Tobacco use
male
24.8% (2025 est.)
total
14.7% (2025 est.)
female
4.7% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
30.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
2.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
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)
Ethnic groups
Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Child marriage
men married by age 18
6.9% (2022)
women married by age 15
4.9% (2022)
women married by age 18
20.7% (2022)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
57.3 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
49.9 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
13.5 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
7.4 (2025 est.)
Physician density
0.42 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
6.3% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
4.7% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-2.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.52 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 88.5% of population
improved: total
total: 91% of population
improved: urban
urban: 97.4% of population
unimproved: rural
rural: 11.5% of population
unimproved: total
total: 8.9% of population (2017 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 2.6% of population
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
2.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
11.5% national budget (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
64.9 deaths/1,000 live births
total
53.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
44.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
1.26% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.24 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
Maroni, situated on the western part of Grande Comore, is the largest city in the nation; nonetheless, Anjouan is recognized as the most densely populated among the three islands that make up Comoros, as illustrated in this population distribution map
Life expectancy at birth
male
65.5 years
female
70.2 years
total population
67.8 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
179 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
0.18 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
62,000 MORONI (capital) (2018)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
7.8% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
23 years (2012 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
63.1% (2022 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
9.1% (2022 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical marine; wet season (November to May)
Land use
other
10.7% (2023 est.)
forest
17.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
71.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 34.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 28.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 8.1% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
30.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
2.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
91,000 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
10.1% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation; soil erosion and degradation resulting from the loss of forests and agricultural practices on slopes lacking adequate terracing; sedimentation of coral reefs
Total water withdrawal
municipal
4.8 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
500,000 cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
4.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
436,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
436,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
14.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
1.2 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
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
Government
Flag
description: features four equal horizontal stripes colored yellow (top), white, red, and blue, with a green isosceles triangle on the left; within the triangle, a vertical white crescent moon is centered, accompanied by four white five-pointed stars aligned vertically between the crescent's points
meaning: the horizontal stripes and the stars signify the four principal islands of the archipelago: Mwali, N'gazidja, Ndzuwani, and Mahore (Mayotte, while a French department, is claimed by Comoros)
Capital
name
Moroni
etymology
the name translates to "at the place of fire," indicating the capital's position beneath the active volcano Mt. Karthala
time difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
11 42 S, 43 14 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
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
Constitution
history
previous 1996, 2001; newest adopted 30 July 2018
amendment process
proposed by the president of the union or supported by no less than one-third of the Assembly of the Union members; adoption necessitates the approval of at least three-quarters of the total Assembly membership or a referendum endorsement
Country name
former
Comorian State, Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros
etymology
the name originates from the Arabic al qamar, which translates to "the moon"
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)
conventional long form
Union of the Comoros
conventional short form
Comoros
Independence
6 July 1975 (from France)
Legal system
a hybrid legal framework incorporating Islamic religious law, the French civil code of 1975, and customary law
Government type
federal presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of 7 judges)
subordinate courts
Court of Appeals (located in Moroni); Tribunal de première instance; community (island village) courts; religious courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court judges - selection and term of office NA
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
chief of state
President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2016)
election results
2024: AZALI Assoumani re-elected president in the first round - AZALI Assoumani (CRC) 63%, SALIM ISSA Abdallah (PJ) 20.3%, DAOUDOU Abdallah Mohamed (Orange Party) 5.9%, Bourhane HAMIDOU (independent) 5.1%
head of government
President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2016)
most recent election date
14 January 2024
election/appointment process
the president is elected directly through an absolute majority vote over two rounds, if necessary, for a term of five years
expected date of next election
2029
National holiday
Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
National color(s)
green, white
Political parties
Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC
Juwa Party (Parti Juwa) or PJ
Orange Party (2020)
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
33 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Assembly of the Union (Assemblée de l'Union)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
1/12/2025 to 2/16/2025
expected date of next election
January 2030
percentage of women in chamber
18.2%
parties elected and seats per party
Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros (CRC) (31); Other (2)
National anthem(s)
title
"Udzima wa ya Masiwa" (The Union of the Great Islands)
history
adopted 1978
lyrics/music
Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE/Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE and Kamildine ABDALLAH
National symbol(s)
four five-pointed stars and crescent moon
National coat of arms
the coat of arms incorporates the national colors of green and white; adopted in 1978; features the crescent and stars symbolizing Islam, with the four stars also representing the archipelago’s four main islands: Grande Comore, Mohéli, Anjouan, and Mayotte (the latter being a French department claimed by Comoros); the nation's name appears in French and Arabic above and below the rays of the sun; two olive branches, symbolizing peace, are connected by a banner displaying the national motto in French, which translates to "Unity, Solidarity, Development"
Administrative divisions
3 islands; Anjouan (Ndzuwani), Grande Comore (N'gazidja), Moheli (Mwali)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (212) 750-1657
chancery
Permanent Mission to the UN, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 495, New York, NY 10017
telephone
[1] (212) 750-1637
chief of mission
Ambassador Issimail CHANFI (since 23 December 2020); note - also serves as Permanent Representative to the UN
email address and website
[email protected]
https://www.un.int/comoros/
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
the US does not maintain an embassy in Comoros; the US Ambassador to Madagascar is also accredited to Comoros
International organization participation
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)
International law organization participation
has not filed an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; acknowledges ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$212.551 million (2023 est.)
expenditures
$230.338 million (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021
$128.331 million (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$166.032 million (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$148.455 million (2023 est.)
Imports
Imports 2021
$415.965 million (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$480.268 million (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$504.036 million (2023 est.)
Industries
fishing, tourism, fragrance extraction
Labor force
276,400 (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
27.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
22.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
22% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
21.4% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
430.721 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
415.956 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
467.184 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
454.991 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
454.524 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$267.652 million (2023 est.)
Economic overview
small island economy reliant on trade; decreasing remittances; implementation of new structural and fiscal reforms; negative effects from cyclones and COVID-19; manageable debt levels; vulnerable liquidity situation; significant foreign direct investment; difficulties faced by state-owned enterprises
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
3.9% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
3.8% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
3.9% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Indonesia 25%, India 23%, Turkey 16%, UAE 11%, USA 3% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 24%, UAE 21%, Tanzania 12%, France 7%, India 6% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$3,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$3,500 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$3,600 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
2.8% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
3.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.4% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
bananas, coconuts, cassava, yams, maize, taro, milk, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pulses (2023)
Exports - commodities
cloves, ships, essential oils, vanilla, scrap iron (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, poultry, rice, flavored water, additive manufacturing machines (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2021
-$4.076 million (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
-$5.248 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$24.621 million (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$1.546 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
103.6% (2024 est.)
government consumption
9.2% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
0% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
11.7% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
9.9% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-34.5% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
44.8% (2020 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016
1.8% (2016 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017
1% (2017 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
3.8% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$2.901 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$2.99 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$3.092 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
8.3% (2024 est.)
total
8.9% (2024 est.)
female
9.6% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$283.746 million (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$324.561 million (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$323.946 million (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
9.6% (2024 est.)
services
50.1% (2024 est.)
agriculture
36.6% (2024 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
2,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
3,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
113.052 million kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
32,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
22.1 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
82.9%
electrification - urban areas
100%
electrification - total population
89.9% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
7.139 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels
100% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
36% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
a television channel managed by the national government and a television channel operated by the Anjouan regional administration; a radio station owned by the national government; the regional authorities of the islands of Grande Comore and Anjouan each run their own radio stations; several independent and minor community radio stations function on the islands of Grande Comore and Moheli, and these two islands receive broadcasts from Mayotte Radio and French television.
Internet country code
.km
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
8,200 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
1 (2023 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
934,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
110 (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
3,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2023 est.) less than 1
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
0
medium
0
key ports
Dzaoudzi, Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudu
very small
4
total ports
4 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
3
Airports
3 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
273 (2023)
by type
17 bulk carriers, 7 container ships, 125 general cargo vessels, 36 oil tankers, and 88 other types
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
D6
Military & Security
Military - note
The primary concerns for the security forces involve conducting search and rescue missions alongside the preservation of internal security; a defense agreement with France ensures naval assets for safeguarding territorial waters, training for Comoran military staff, and aerial surveillance; France operates a modest maritime facility and maintains a contingent of the Foreign Legion on the adjacent island of Mayotte (2024)
Military and security forces
National Army for Development (l'Armee Nationale de Developpement, AND): Comoran Defense Force (Force Comorienne de Defense or FCD; incorporates the Comoran National Gendarmerie); Ministry of Interior: Coast Guard, Federal Police, National Directorate of Territorial Safety (customs and immigration) (2024)
Military service age and obligation
Voluntary military service is available for individuals aged 18-25 for both genders; there is no conscription (2023)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The AND is equipped with light weaponry, a limited number of light aircraft, and utility vehicles (2024)
Military and security service personnel strengths
Approximately 600 personnel in the Defense Force; around 500 in the Federal Police (2023)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
38 (2024 est.)
refugees
18 (2024 est.)
