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.
.
1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2018 | |
Population, total (millions) | 33.1 | 39.63 | 45.22 | 49.66 |
Population growth (annual %) | 2 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.5 |
Surface area (sq. km) (thousands) | 1,141.80 | 1,141.80 | 1,141.80 | 1,141.70 |
Population density (people per sq. km of land area) | 29.8 | 35.7 | 40.8 | 44.8 |
Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines (% of population) | .. | 49.7 | 37.2 | 27 |
Poverty headcount ratio at $1.90 a day (2011 PPP) (% of population) | 9 | 16.8 | 7.9 | 4.2 |
Income share held by lowest 20% | 3.7 | 1.9 | 3.3 | 4 |
Life expectancy at birth, total (years) | 70 | 73 | 75 | 77 |
Fertility rate, total (births per woman) | 3.1 | 2.6 | 2 | 1.8 |
Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19) | 96 | 98 | 77 | 65 |
Contraceptive prevalence, any methods (% of women ages 15-49) | 66 | 77 | 79 | 81 |
Births attended by skilled health staff (% of total) | 81 | 86 | 95 | 96 |
Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1,000 live births) | 35 | 25 | 18 | 14 |
Prevalence of underweight, weight for age (% of children under 5) | 8.8 | 4.9 | 3.4 | 3.7 |
Immunization, measles (% of children ages 12-23 months) | 82 | 88 | 88 | 95 |
Primary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group) | 75 | 96 | 117 | 107 |
School enrollment, primary (% gross) | 107.5 | 119.4 | 120.3 | 114.5 |
School enrollment, secondary (% gross) | 54 | 73 | 98 | 98 |
School enrollment, primary and secondary (gross), gender parity index (GPI) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Prevalence of HIV, total (% of population ages 15-49) | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
Environment | ||||
Forest area (sq. km) (thousands) | 644.2 | 618 | 586.4 | 584.8 |
Terrestrial and marine protected areas (% of total territorial area) | .. | .. | .. | 15.7 |
Annual freshwater withdrawals, total (% of internal resources) | .. | 0.4 | 0.5 | .. |
Urban population growth (annual %) | 2.7 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
Energy use (kg of oil equivalent per capita) | 732 | 651 | 690 | .. |
CO2 emissions (metric tons per capita) | 1.73 | 1.46 | 1.7 | 2.03 |
Electric power consumption (kWh per capita) | 872 | 846 | 1,095 | .. |
Net migration (thousands) | -288 | -231 | -193 | 1,024 |