Comoros

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 (2007)

Internet country code

.km

Internet hosts

14 (2010) country comparison to the world: 219

Internet users

24,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 186

Telephone system

general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations domestic: fixed-line connections only about 3 per 100 persons; mobile cellular usage about 15 per 100 persons international: country code - 269; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion

Telephones - main lines in use

21,000 (2010) country comparison to the world: 190

Telephones - mobile cellular

165,300 (2010) country comparison to the world: 182

Agriculture - products

vanilla, cloves, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)

Budget

revenues: $118.2 million expenditures: $NA (2010 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

Central bank discount rate

1.93% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 2.21% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.5% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 10.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$45.1 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 -$46.54 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$279.3 million (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174 $279.3 million (2000 est.)

Economy - overview

One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. Export income is heavily reliant on the three main crops of vanilla, cloves, and ylang-ylang and Comoros' export earnings are easily disrupted by disasters such as fires. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government - which is hampered by internal political disputes - lacks a comprehensive strategy to attract foreign investment and is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports, promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate. Political problems have inhibited growth, which has averaged only about 1% in 2006-09. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP. In September 2009 the IMF approved Comoros for a three-year $21 million loan. The IMF gave generally positive reports of the country's program performance as of October 2010. The African Development Bank approved a $34.6 million debt-relief package loan for Comoros in September 2010, and Comoros will attempt to qualify for debt relief in 2012 under the IMF and World Bank's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.

Electricity - consumption

48.36 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

52 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Exchange rates

Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 361.4 (2007) 391.8 (2006) 395.6 (2005) 396.21 (2004) 435.9 (2003)

Exports

$12.8 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 $11.94 million (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), cloves, copra

Exports - partners

France 25.2%, Singapore 21.5%, Turkey 11.5%, Saudi Arabia 7.4%, US 7.2%, Netherlands 7%, Germany 4.6% (2010)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$534 million (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$800 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 205 $783.4 million (2009 est.) $769.2 million (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 41.8% industry: 8.6% services: 49.6% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 $1,000 (2009 est.) $1,100 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 1.8% (2009 est.) 1% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 0.9% highest 10%: 55.2% (2004)

Imports

$188.8 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 $169.6 million (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, cement, transport equipment

Imports - partners

France 15.6%, Pakistan 15.5%, UAE 9.5%, China 6.9%, India 5.7%, Kenya 5.3%, Spain 4.5% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

fishing, tourism, perfume distillation

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 4.8% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

10.9% of GDP (2020 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

Labor force

268,500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (1996 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 79

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Oil - consumption

1,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 199

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Oil - imports

967 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Population below poverty line

60% (2002 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$146.1 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 $150.9 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$186.7 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $168.6 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$120.6 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 $108.8 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$115.8 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 $104.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

22.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Unemployment rate

20% (1996 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Area

total: 2,235 sq km country comparison to the world: 180 land: 2,235 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)

Coastline

340 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Karthala 2,360 m

Environment - current issues

soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.01 cu km/yr (48%/5%/47%) per capita: 13 cu m/yr (1999)

Geographic coordinates

12 10 S, 44 15 E

Geography - note

important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 35.87% permanent crops: 23.32% other: 40.81% (2005)

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); volcanic activity on Grand Comore volcanism: Karthala (elev. 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

Natural resources

NEGL

Terrain

volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills

Total renewable water resources

1.2 cu km (2003)

Administrative divisions

3 islands and 4 municipalities*; Grande Comore (N'gazidja), Anjouan (Ndzuwani), Domoni*, Fomboni*, Moheli (Mwali), Moroni*, Moutsamoudou*

Capital

name: Moroni geographic coordinates: 11 42 S, 43 14 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

23 December 2001

Country name

conventional long form: Union of the Comoros conventional short form: Comoros local long form: Udzima wa Komori (Comorian); Union des Comores (French); Jumhuriyat al Qamar al Muttahidah (Arabic) local short form: Komori (Comorian); Comores (French); Juzur al Qamar (Arabic)

Diplomatic representation from the US

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed TOIHIRI; note - also serves Permanent Representative to the UN chancery: Mission to the US, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 418, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 750-1637

Executive branch

chief of state: President Ikililou DHOININE (since 26 May 2011) head of government: President Ikililou DHOININE (since 26 May 2011) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three main islands in the Union; election last held on 7 November and 26 December 2010 (next to be held in 2014) election results: Ikililou DHOININE elected president; percent of vote - Ikililou DHOININE 61.1%, Mohamed Said FAZUL 32.7%, Abdou DJABIR 6.2%

Flag description

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 white crescent 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, Nzwani, and Mahore (Mayotte - territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros) note: the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam

Government type

republic

Independence

6 July 1975 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic)

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 15 deputies are selected by the individual islands' local assemblies and 18 by universal suffrage to serve for five years); elections: last held on 6 and 20 December 2009 (next to be held in 2014) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - pro-union coalition 19, autonomous coalition 4, independents 1; note - 9 additional seats are filled by deputies from local island assemblies

National anthem

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

National holiday

Independence Day, 6 July (1975)

National symbol(s)

four stars and crescent

Political parties and leaders

Camp of the Autonomous Islands or CdIA (a coalition of parties organized by the islands' presidents in opposition to the Union President); Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC [AZALI Assowmani]; Front National pour la Justice or FNJ [Ahmed RACHID] (Islamic party in opposition); Mouvement pour la Democratie et le Progress or MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Parti Comorien pour la Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid AFFRAITANE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

other: environmentalists

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Comoros has endured more than 20 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power in a bloodless coup, and helped negotiate the 2000 Fomboni Accords power-sharing agreement in which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands, and each island maintains its own local government. AZALI won the 2002 presidential election, and each island in the archipelago elected its own president. AZALI stepped down in 2006 and President SAMBI was elected to office. In 2007, Mohamed BACAR effected Anjouan's de-facto secession from the Union, refusing to step down in favor of fresh Anjouanais elections when Comoros' other islands held legitimate elections in July. The African Union (AU) initially attempted to resolve the political crisis by applying sanctions and a naval blockade on Anjouan, but in March 2008, AU and Comoran soldiers seized the island. The move was generally welcomed by the island's inhabitants.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 184,236 females age 16-49: 183,363 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 134,562 females age 16-49: 145,797 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 8,831 female: 8,809 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Army of National Development (l'Armee du Developpement Nationale, AND): Comoran Security Force (also called Comoran Defense Force (Force Comorieene de Defense FCD, includes Gendarmarie)), Comoran Coast Guard, Comoran Federal Police (2011)

Military expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 51

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for 2-year voluntary military service; no conscription; women first inducted into the Army in 2004 (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years: 41.6% (male 166,141/female 164,788) 15-64 years: 55.3% (male 217,046/female 222,093) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 11,053/female 13,562) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

34.19 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

25% (2000) country comparison to the world: 26

Death rate

7.23 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 91% of population rural: 97% of population total: 95% of population unimproved: urban: 9% of population rural: 3% of population total: 5% of population (2008)

Education expenditures

7.6% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 13

Ethnic groups

Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Health expenditures

3.4% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 173

Hospital bed density

2.2 beds/1,000 population (2006) country comparison to the world: 93

Infant mortality rate

total: 62.63 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 28 male: 70.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 54.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 64.2 years country comparison to the world: 171 male: 61.76 years female: 66.72 years (2011 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 56.5% male: 63.6% female: 49.3% (2003 est.)

Major cities - population

MORONI (capital) 49,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

340 deaths/100,000 live births (2008) country comparison to the world: 43

Median age

total: 19 years male: 18.7 years female: 19.3 years (2011 est.)

Nationality

noun: Comoran(s) adjective: Comoran

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Physicians density

0.15 physicians/1,000 population (2004) country comparison to the world: 157

Population

794,683 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 162

Population growth rate

2.696% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 19

Religions

Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 50% of population rural: 30% of population total: 36% of population unimproved: urban: 50% of population rural: 70% of population total: 64% of population (2008)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 11 years male: 12 years female: 10 years (2005)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.72 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 28

Urbanization

urban population: 28% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 2.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

claims French-administered Mayotte and challenges France's and Madagascar's claims to Banc du Geyser, a drying reef in the Mozambique Channel; in May 2008, African Union forces are called in to assist the Comoros military recapture Anjouan Island from rebels who seized it in 2001

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Comoros is a source country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; children are subjected to forced labor within the country in domestic service, roadside and market vending, baking, and agriculture tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Comoros does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government, in partnership with international organizations, began implementation of a National Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Plan, through which 40 former child soldiers, some of whom were trafficking victims, received protective services; it also began implementation of a national action plan to address the worst forms of child labor; however, negligible efforts were made to prevent the use of forced child labor or to investigate suspected cases; the government made no discernible efforts to investigate, prosecute, or convict trafficking offenders, under existing legislation; care to victims of sex or labor trafficking and prevention efforts were minimal (2011)

Airports

4 (2010) country comparison to the world: 185

Airports - with paved runways

total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2010)

Merchant marine

total: 177 country comparison to the world: 37 by type: bulk carrier 19, cargo 102, carrier 5, chemical tanker 6, container 2, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 15, refrigerated cargo 12, roll on/roll off 12 foreign-owned: 98 (Bangladesh 1, Bulgaria 8, China 1, Cyprus 2, Greece 3, Kenya 1, Kuwait 1, Latvia 1, Lebanon 3, Lithuania 3, Monaco 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 2, Pakistan 3, Russia 21, Syria 6, Turkey 16, UAE 11, UK 1, Ukraine 10, US 2) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Mayotte, Mutsamudu

Roadways

total: 880 km country comparison to the world: 184 paved: 673 km unpaved: 207 km (2002)