COMOROS

The Comorians inhabiting Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli (86% of the population) share African-Arab origins. Islam is the dominant religion, and Koranic schools for children reinforce its influence. Although Arab culture is firmly established throughout the archipelago, a substantial minority of the citizens of Mayotte (the Mahorais) are Catholic and have been strongly influenced by French culture. The most common language is Shikomoro, a Swahili dialect. French and Malagasy are also spoken. About 48% of the population is literate.

POPULATION GRAPH

Population:
614,382 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42.9% (male 132,013; female 131,282)
15-64 years: 54.2% (male 164,245; female 168,793)
65 years and over: 2.9% (male 8,588; female 9,461) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.99% (2002 est.)
Birth rate:
39.01 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate:
9.1 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate:
NEGL migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
81.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 60.79 years
female: 63.09 years (2002 est.)
male: 58.56 years
Total fertility rate:
5.26 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.12% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Comoran(s)
adjective: Comoran
Ethnic groups:
Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
Languages:
Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 57.3%
male: 64.2%
female: 50.4% (1995 est.)