World · permanent entity record · CN

Comoros

Thirty-second orientation

Comoros at a glance

Capital: Moroni; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 882,847; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 2,235 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Comoran(s); adjective: Comoran; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: federal presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (official; similar to Swahili), Comorian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Comoros through time

1975-11-12
Admitted to the United Nations
Comoros became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	882,847World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 911,707 (2025 est.) male: 441,215 female: 470,492CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $1.8 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $2,056; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 67.0 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 33.9%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 91.7%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 32.5%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Moroni; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 2,235 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 882,847; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: Comoran francs (KMF); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (official; similar to Swahili), Comorian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Comoran(s); adjective: Comoran; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: federal presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1975-11-12; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
Coastline: 340 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: yellow, white, red, blue, green; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: four five-pointed stars and crescent moon; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Karthala · 7,743 ft (2,360 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Indian Ocean · 0 ft (0 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

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.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography17 fields

Location: 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 44 15 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 2,235 sq km land: 2,235 sq km water: 0 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, D.C.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: total: 0 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 340 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: Karthala 2,360 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: fish; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 71.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 34.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 28.5% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 8.1% (2023 est.) forest: 17.8% (2023 est.) other: 10.7% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: 1.3 sq km (2012); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: the capital city of Maroni, on the western side of the island of Grande Comore, is the country's largest city; however, Anjouan is the most densely populated of the three islands that comprise Comoros, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); volcanic activity on Grand Comore volcanism: Karthala (2,361 m) on Grand Comore Island last erupted in 2007; a 2005 eruption forced thousands of people to be evacuated and produced a large ash cloud; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geography - note: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel; the only Arab League country that lies entirely in the Southern Hemisphere; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society33 fields

Population: total: 911,707 (2025 est.) male: 441,215 female: 470,492; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Comoran(s) adjective: Comoran; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ethnic groups: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (official; similar to Swahili), Comorian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Religions: 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 57.3 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 49.9 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 7.4 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 13.5 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 23.1 years (2025 est.) male: 22.1 years female: 23.3 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: 1.26% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 21.12 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 6.38 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: -2.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: the capital city of Maroni, on the western side of the island of Grande Comore, is the country's largest city; however, Anjouan is the most densely populated of the three islands that comprise Comoros, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 30.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 62,000 MORONI (capital) (2018); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sex ratio: 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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 23 years (2012 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 179 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 53.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 64.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 44.7 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.8 years (2024 est.) male: 65.5 years female: 70.2 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 2.52 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 1.24 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 97.4% of population rural: 88.5% of population total: 91% of population urban: 2.6% of population rural: 11.5% of population total: 8.9% of population (2017 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Health expenditure: 6.3% of GDP (2021) 4.7% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Physician density: 0.42 physicians/1,000 population (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 7.8% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: 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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Tobacco use: total: 14.7% (2025 est.) male: 24.8% (2025 est.) female: 4.7% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 9.1% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 63.1% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 4.9% (2022) women married by age 18: 20.7% (2022) men married by age 18: 6.9% (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Education expenditure: 2.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 11.5% national budget (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Literacy: total population: 75.8% (2021 est.) male: 79.9% (2021 est.) female: 72.2% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment10 fields

Environmental issues: deforestation; soil degradation and erosion from forest loss and crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; silting of coral reefs; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 71.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 34.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 28.5% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 8.1% (2023 est.) forest: 17.8% (2023 est.) other: 10.7% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 30.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 436,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 436,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 14.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 91,000 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 10.1% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total renewable water resources: 1.2 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government23 fields

Country name: 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"; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: federal presidential republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Capital: 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Administrative divisions: 3 islands; Anjouan (Ndzuwani), Grande Comore (N'gazidja), Moheli (Mwali); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: mixed legal system of Islamic religious law, the French civil code of 1975, and customary law; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Constitution: 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: 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 election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term most recent election date: 14 January 2024 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% expected date of next election: 2029 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: 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) (31); Other (2) percentage of women in chamber: 18.2% 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Judicial branch: 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Political parties: Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC Juwa Party (Parti Juwa) or PJ Orange Party (2020); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: 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/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the US Ambassador to Madagascar is accredited to Comoros; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Flag: description: four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue, with a green isosceles triangle based on the left; a vertical white crescent moon is centered in the triangle, with four five-pointed white stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent meaning: the horizontal bands and the stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago -- Mwali, N'gazidja, Ndzuwani, and Mahore (Mayotte is a department of France, but claimed by Comoros) note: the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National symbol(s): four five-pointed stars and crescent moon; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National color(s): green, white; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National coat of arms: the coat of arms is in the national colors of green and white; was adopted in 1978; the crescent and stars represent Islam, with the four stars also symbolizing the archipelago’s four main islands: Grande Comore, Mohéli, Anjouan, and Mayotte (the last of which is a French department claimed by Comoros); above and below the sun’s rays is the name of the nation written in French and Arabic; two olive branches, representing peace, are connected by a banner with the national motto in French, which translates as "Unity, Solidarity, Development"; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Udzima wa ya Masiwa" (The Union of the Great Islands) lyrics/music: Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE/Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE and Kamildine ABDALLAH history: adopted 1978; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy28 fields

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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.092 billion (2024 est.) $2.99 billion (2023 est.) $2.901 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 3.4% (2024 est.) 3.1% (2023 est.) 2.8% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP per capita: $3,600 (2024 est.) $3,500 (2023 est.) $3,500 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $1.546 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2017 est.) 1.8% (2016 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 36.6% (2024 est.) industry: 9.6% (2024 est.) services: 50.1% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 103.6% (2024 est.) government consumption: 9.2% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 11.7% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 9.9% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -34.5% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: bananas, coconuts, cassava, yams, maize, taro, milk, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pulses (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industries: fishing, tourism, perfume distillation; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industrial production growth rate: 3.8% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Labor force: 276,400 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Unemployment rate: 3.9% (2024 est.) 3.8% (2023 est.) 3.9% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 8.9% (2024 est.) male: 8.3% (2024 est.) female: 9.6% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population below poverty line: 44.8% (2020 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Remittances: 21.4% of GDP (2023 est.) 22% of GDP (2022 est.) 22.2% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Budget: revenues: $212.551 million (2023 est.) expenditures: $230.338 million (2023 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Public debt: 27.7% of GDP (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Current account balance: -$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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports: $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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: Indonesia 25%, India 23%, Turkey 16%, UAE 11%, USA 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: cloves, ships, essential oils, vanilla, scrap iron (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports: $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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: China 24%, UAE 21%, Tanzania 12%, France 7%, India 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, poultry, rice, flavored water, additive manufacturing machines (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $323.946 million (2024 est.) $324.561 million (2023 est.) $283.746 million (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Debt - external: $267.652 million (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 454.524 (2024 est.) 454.991 (2023 est.) 467.184 (2022 est.) 415.956 (2021 est.) 430.721 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy6 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 89.9% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 100% electrification - rural areas: 82.9%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 32,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 113.052 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 22.1 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coal: imports: 2,000 metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 3,000 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 7.139 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 8,200 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2023 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 934,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadcast media: 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 36% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 3,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation4 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: D6; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Airports: 3 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Merchant marine: total: 273 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 17, container ship 7, general cargo 125, oil tanker 36, other 88; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ports: total ports: 4 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 4 ports with oil terminals: 3 key ports: Dzaoudzi, Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudu; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security5 fields

Military and security forces: 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: estimated 600 Defense Force; estimated 500 Federal Police (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the AND is lightly armed and equipped with small arms, a few light aircraft, and utility vehicles (2024); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military - note: 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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transnational Issues1 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 18 (2024 est.) IDPs: 38 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

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Comoros at a glance

Comoros through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

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