 |
Comoros |
Capital: Moroni
Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
Currency: Comoran franc (KMF)
Background: Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence from Comoros. One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros has 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, is the leading sector of the economy. It contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports.
PEOPLE
Population: 711,417 (July 2007 est.); 773,407 (July 2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
2007
Total population: 62.73 years
Male: 60.37 years
Female: 65.15 years (2007 est.)
2010
Total population: 63.83 years
Male: 61.41 years
Female: 66.32 years (2010 est.)
Age structure:
2007
0-14 years: 42.6% (male 151,920/female 150,851)
15-64 years: 54.4% (male 191,096/female 196,120)
65 years and over: 3% (male 9,933/female 11,497) (2007 est.)
2010
0-14 years: 42.2% (male 159,282/female 158,073)
15-64 years: 54.8% (male 203,533/female 208,591)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 10,474/female 12,485) (2010 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.84% (2007 est.); 2.731% (2010 est.)
Population below poverty line: N/A
HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2006 est.); less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
People living with HIV/AIDS: <500 (2006 est.)
Literacy - definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 56.5%
Male: 63.6%
Female: 49.3% (2003 est.)
Refugees and Internally Displaced People: N/A
ECONOMY
Unemployment rate: N/A
Labour force by Occupation: N/A
Agricultural Products: vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)
Industries: fishing, tourism, perfume distillation
Exports – Commodities: vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), cloves, copra
Exports – Partners:
Netherlands 35.8%, France 18.3%, Italy 12.8%, Singapore 7.8%, Turkey 5%, US 4.6% (2006)
Turkey 25.2%, France 20.44%, Singapore 17.44%, Algeria 8.02%, Italy 6.09%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2009)
Imports – Commodities: rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, cement, transport equipment
Imports – Partners:
France 24.8%, UAE 9.9%, South Africa 6.4%, Pakistan 6.3%, Kenya 5%, China 4.8%, India 4.4%, Italy 4.2% (2006)
France 15.5%, China 14.66%, India 10.55%, UAE 7.88%, Pakistan 5.69%, Kenya 4.51% (2009)
ENVIRONMENT
Environment – Current issues: soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
Natural hazards: cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
Source: CIA World Factbook
|
