{"name": "Comoros", "code": "CN", "publish_date": "January 01, 2019", "html": "<div class='wfb-text-box'><div class=\"region1 geos_title afr_dark\"><strong>Africa ::Comoros</strong></div><ul class='expandcollapse'><li id='introduction-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Introduction'ccode='cn'>Introduction ::<span class='region'>Comoros</span></div></li><li id='introduction-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-introduction-background\">Background:</div><div id=\"field-background\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>The archipelago of the Comoros in the Indian Ocean, composed of the islands of Mayotte, Anjouan, Moheli, and Grand Comore declared independence from France on 6 July 1975. France did not recognize the independence of Mayotte, which remains under French administration. Since independence, Comoros has endured political instability through realized and attempted coups. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI Assoumani seized power of the entire government in a bloodless coup; he initiated the 2000 Fomboni Accords, a power-sharing agreement in which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands, and each island maintains its local government. AZALI won the 2002 federal presidential election as president of the Union of the Comoros from Grand Comore Island, which held the first four-year term. AZALI stepped down in 2006 and President Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed SAMBI was elected to office as president from Anjouan. 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 in July. The African Union (AU) initially attempted to resolve the political crisis by applying sanctions and a naval blockade to Anjouan, but in March 2008 the AU and Comoran soldiers seized the island. The island's inhabitants generally welcomed the move. In 2009, the Comorian population approved a constitutional referendum extending the term of the president from four years to five years. In May 2011, Ikililou DHOININE won the presidency in peaceful elections widely deemed to be free and fair. In closely contested elections in 2016, former President AZALI Assoumani won a second term, when the rotating presidency returned to Grande Comore.</div></div></li><li id='geography-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Geography'ccode='cn'>Geography ::<span class='region'>Comoros</span></div></li><li id='geography-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-location\">Location:</div><div id=\"field-location\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>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</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-geographic-coordinates\">Geographic coordinates:</div><div id=\"field-geographic-coordinates\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>12 10 S, 44 15 E</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-map-references\">Map references:</div><div id=\"field-map-references\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Africa</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-area\">Area:</div><div id=\"field-area\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2,235 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2,235 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">water:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>180</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-area-comparative\">Area - comparative:</div><div id=\"field-area-comparative\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-land-boundaries\">Land boundaries:</div><div id=\"field-land-boundaries\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-coastline\">Coastline:</div><div id=\"field-coastline\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">340 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-maritime-claims\">Maritime claims:</div><div id=\"field-maritime-claims\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">territorial sea:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">12</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">nm</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">exclusive economic zone:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">200</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">nm</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-climate\">Climate:</div><div id=\"field-climate\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-terrain\">Terrain:</div><div id=\"field-terrain\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-elevation\">Elevation:</div><div id=\"field-elevation\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">lowest point: Indian Ocean</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\">2360 highest point: Karthala</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-natural-resources\">Natural resources:</div><div id=\"field-natural-resources\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>fish</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-land-use\">Land use:</div><div id=\"field-land-use\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">agricultural land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">84.4%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">arable land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">46.7%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span>/<span class=\"subfield-name\">permanent crops:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">29.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span>/<span class=\"subfield-name\">permanent pasture:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">8.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">forest:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.4%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">other:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">14.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-irrigated-land\">Irrigated land:</div><div id=\"field-irrigated-land\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.3 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-population-distribution\">Population distribution:</div><div id=\"field-population-distribution\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>the capital city of Maroni, located on the western side of the island of Grande Comore, is the country's largest city; however, of the three islands that comprise Comoros, it is Anjouan that is the most densely populated</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-natural-hazards\">Natural hazards:</div><div id=\"field-natural-hazards\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><p>cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); volcanic activity on Grand Comore</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> 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</p></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-environment-current-issues\">Environment - current issues:</div><div id=\"field-environment-current-issues\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>deforestation; soil degradation and erosion results from forest loss and from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; marine biodiversity affected as soil erosion leads to the silting of coral reefs</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-environment-international-agreements\">Environment - international agreements:</div><div id=\"field-environment-international-agreements\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">party to:</span>Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">signed, but not ratified:</span>none of the selected agreements</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-geography-note\">Geography - note:</div><div id=\"field-geography-note\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel</div></div></li><li id='people-and-society-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='People and Society'ccode='cn'>People and Society ::<span class='region'>Comoros</span></div></li><li id='people-and-society-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population\">Population:</div><div id=\"field-population\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">821,164</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2018\">(July 2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>163</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-nationality\">Nationality:</div><div id=\"field-nationality\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">noun:</span>Comoran(s)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">adjective:</span>Comoran</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-ethnic-groups\">Ethnic groups:</div><div id=\"field-ethnic-groups\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-languages\">Languages:</div><div id=\"field-languages\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Arabic(official), French(official), Shikomoro(official; a blend of Swahili and Arabic) (Comorian)</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-religions\">Religions:</div><div id=\"field-religions\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Sunni Muslim 98%, other (including Shia Muslim, Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Protestant) 2%</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> Islam is the state religion</p></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-demographic-profile\">Demographic profile:</div><div id=\"field-demographic-profile\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><p>Comoros’ population is a melange of Arabs, Persians, Indonesians, Africans, and Indians, and the much smaller number of Europeans that settled on the islands between the 8th and 19th centuries, when they served as a regional trade hub. The Arab and Persian influence is most evident in the islands’ overwhelmingly Muslim majority – about 98% of Comorans are Sunni Muslims. The country is densely populated, averaging nearly 350 people per square mile, although this varies widely among the islands, with Anjouan being the most densely populated.</p><p>Given the large share of land dedicated to agriculture and Comoros’ growing population, habitable land is becoming increasingly crowded. The combination of increasing population pressure on limited land and resources, widespread poverty, and poor job prospects motivates thousands of Comorans each year to attempt to illegally migrate using small fishing boats to the neighboring island of Mayotte, which is a French territory. The majority of legal Comoran migration to France came after Comoros’ independence from France in 1975, with the flow peaking in the mid-1980s.</p><p>At least 150,000 to 200,000 people of Comoran citizenship or descent live abroad, mainly in France, where they have gone seeking a better quality of life, job opportunities, higher education (Comoros has no universities), advanced health care, and to finance elaborate traditional wedding ceremonies (aada). Remittances from the diaspora are an economic mainstay, in 2013 representing approximately 25% of Comoros’ GDP and significantly more than the value of its exports of goods and services (only 15% of GDP). Grand Comore, Comoros’ most populous island, is both the primary source of emigrants and the main recipient of remittances. Most remittances are spent on private consumption, but this often goes toward luxury goods and the aada and does not contribute to economic development or poverty reduction. Although the majority of the diaspora is now French-born with more distant ties to Comoros, it is unclear whether they will sustain the current level of remittances.</p></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-age-structure\">Age structure:</div><div id=\"field-age-structure\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">0-14 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">38.54%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 157,764 /female 158,676)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">15-24 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">19.89%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 79,133 /female 84,181)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">25-54 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">33.25%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 129,645 /female 143,408)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">55-64 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">4.34%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 15,957 /female 19,690)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">65 years and over:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.98%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 14,881 /female 17,829)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data attachment\"><span class=\"subfield-name\">population pyramid:</span><a data-toggle=\"modal\" href=\"#imageModal3625\" class='category_image_link'><img alt=\"population pyramid\" src=\"/attachments/images/thumb/CN_popgraph.bmp?1538604944\" /></a><div class=\"modal fade cntryModal\" id=\"imageModal3625\" role=\"dialog\" aria-label='modal dialog used to display image(s) associated with a field' aria-labelledby='imageModalLabel'><div class=\"wfb-modal-dialog\"><div class=\"modal-content\"><div class=\"wfb-modal-header\">	<span class=\"modal-title wfb-title\">The World Factbook</span><span class='sr-only' id='imageModalLabel'>Field Image Modal</span>	<span style=\"float: right; margin-top: -4px;\">	<button type=\"button\" class=\"close\" title=\"close\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">×</button>	</span></div><div class=\"wfb-modal-body\">	<div class=\"region1 geos_title afr_dark\"> 	Africa <strong>::</strong>	<span class=\"region_name1 countryName\">Comoros</span><span class=\"btn-print\"><a href=\"/attachments/images/large/CN_popgraph.bmp?1538604944\"><i class=\"fa fa-print\" aria-hidden='true'></i><span class='sr-only'>Print</span></a></span>	</div>	<div class=\"afr_bkgrnd\">	<div class=\"modalImageBox\">	<img class=\"afr_lgflagborder\"		 src=\"/attachments/images/large/CN_popgraph.bmp?1538604944\" alt=\"population pyramid\">	</div>	<div class=\"modalImageDesc\">	<div class=\"header\"		 style=\"background-image: url(/images/afr_medium.jpg)\">	Image Description	</div>	<div class=\"photogallery_captiontext\">	This is the population pyramid for Comoros. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. <br/><br/>For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.	</div>	</div>	</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-dependency-ratios\">Dependency ratios:</div><div id=\"field-dependency-ratios\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total dependency ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">75.5</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">youth dependency ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">70.5</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">elderly dependency ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">5.1</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">potential support ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">19.7</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-median-age\">Median age:</div><div id=\"field-median-age\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">20.2 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">19.5 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">20.8 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>188</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population-growth-rate\">Population growth rate:</div><div id=\"field-population-growth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.57%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>66</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-birth-rate\">Birth rate:</div><div id=\"field-birth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">25.3 births/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>49</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-death-rate\">Death rate:</div><div id=\"field-death-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">7.1 deaths/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>125</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-net-migration-rate\">Net migration rate:</div><div id=\"field-net-migration-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-2.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>168</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population-distribution\">Population distribution:</div><div id=\"field-population-distribution\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>the capital city of Maroni, located on the western side of the island of Grande Comore, is the country's largest city; however, of the three islands that comprise Comoros, it is Anjouan that is the most densely populated</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-urbanization\">Urbanization:</div><div id=\"field-urbanization\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">29% of total population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rate of urbanization:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.87% annual rate of change</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(2015-20 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-major-urban-areas-population\">Major urban areas - population:</div><div id=\"field-major-urban-areas-population\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>62,000 MORONI (capital)<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-sex-ratio\">Sex ratio:</div><div id=\"field-sex-ratio\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">at birth:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.02 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">0-14 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.99 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">15-24 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.94 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">25-54 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.9 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">55-64 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.8 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">65 years and over:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.88 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.94 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-mother-s-mean-age-at-first-birth\">Mother&#39;s mean age at first birth:</div><div id=\"field-mother-s-mean-age-at-first-birth\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">24.6 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> median age at first birth among women 25-29</p></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-maternal-mortality-rate\">Maternal mortality rate:</div><div id=\"field-maternal-mortality-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">335 deaths/100,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>38</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-infant-mortality-rate\">Infant mortality rate:</div><div id=\"field-infant-mortality-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">58.3 deaths/1,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">68.4 deaths/1,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">47.9 deaths/1,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>17</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-life-expectancy-at-birth\">Life expectancy at birth:</div><div id=\"field-life-expectancy-at-birth\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">64.9 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">62.6 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">67.4 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>185</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-total-fertility-rate\">Total fertility rate:</div><div id=\"field-total-fertility-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.21 children born/woman</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>46</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-contraceptive-prevalence-rate\">Contraceptive prevalence rate:</div><div id=\"field-contraceptive-prevalence-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">19.4%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-health-expenditures\">Health expenditures:</div><div id=\"field-health-expenditures\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">6.7% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>88</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hospital-bed-density\">Hospital bed density:</div><div id=\"field-hospital-bed-density\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.2 beds/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2010\">(2010)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-drinking-water-source\">Drinking water source:</div><div id=\"field-drinking-water-source\"><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>improved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">92.6% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">89.1% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">90.1% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>unimproved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">7.4% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">10.9% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">9.9% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-sanitation-facility-access\">Sanitation facility access:</div><div id=\"field-sanitation-facility-access\"><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>improved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">48.3% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">30.9% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">35.8% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>unimproved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">51.7% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">69.1% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">64.2% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hiv-aids-adult-prevalence-rate\">HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:</div><div id=\"field-hiv-aids-adult-prevalence-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-note\">&lt;.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hiv-aids-people-living-with-hiv-aids\">HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:</div><div id=\"field-hiv-aids-people-living-with-hiv-aids\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-note\">&lt;200</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hiv-aids-deaths\">HIV/AIDS - deaths:</div><div id=\"field-hiv-aids-deaths\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-note\">&lt;100</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-obesity-adult-prevalence-rate\">Obesity - adult prevalence rate:</div><div id=\"field-obesity-adult-prevalence-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">7.8%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>157</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-children-under-the-age-of-5-years-underweight\">Children under the age of 5 years underweight:</div><div id=\"field-children-under-the-age-of-5-years-underweight\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">16.9%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>35</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-education-expenditures\">Education expenditures:</div><div id=\"field-education-expenditures\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">4.3% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>102</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-literacy\">Literacy:</div><div id=\"field-literacy\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">definition:</span>age 15 and over can read and write<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015 est.\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">77.8%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">81.8%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">73.7%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-school-life-expectancy-primary-to-tertiary-education\">School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):</div><div id=\"field-school-life-expectancy-primary-to-tertiary-education\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">11 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">11 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">11 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div></div></li><li id='government-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Government'ccode='cn'>Government ::<span class='region'>Comoros</span></div></li><li id='government-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-country-name\">Country name:</div><div id=\"field-country-name\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">conventional long form:</span>Union of the Comoros</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">conventional short form:</span>Comoros</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">local long form:</span>Udzima wa Komori (Comorian)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">local short form:</span>Komori (Comorian)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">etymology:</span>name derives from the Arabic designation \"Juzur al Qamar\" meaning \"Islands of the Moon\"</div><div class=\"category_data note\">Union des Comores (French)Jumhuriyat al Qamar al Muttahidah (Arabic)Comores (French)Juzur al Qamar (Arabic)</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-government-type\">Government type:</div><div id=\"field-government-type\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>federal presidential republic</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-capital\">Capital:</div><div id=\"field-capital\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">name:</span>Moroni</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">geographic coordinates:</span>11 42 S, 43 14 E</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">time difference:</span>UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-administrative-divisions\">Administrative divisions:</div><div id=\"field-administrative-divisions\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>3 islands and 4 municipalities*; Anjouan (Ndzuwani), Domoni*, Fomboni*, Grande Comore (N'gazidja), Moheli (Mwali), Moroni*, Moutsamoudou*</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-independence\">Independence:</div><div id=\"field-independence\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>6 July 1975 (from France)</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-national-holiday\">National holiday:</div><div id=\"field-national-holiday\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Independence Day, 6 July (1975)</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-constitution\">Constitution:</div><div id=\"field-constitution\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">history:</span>previous 1996; latest ratified 23 December 2001<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">amendments:</span>proposed by the president of the union or supported by at least one-third of the Assembly of the Union membership; passage requires approval by at least two-thirds majority of the total Assembly membership and approval by at least two-thirds of the membership of the Island Councils, or approval in a referendum; amended 2009, 2014, 2018<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-legal-system\">Legal system:</div><div id=\"field-legal-system\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>mixed legal system of Islamic religious law, the French civil code of 1975, and customary law</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-international-law-organization-participation\">International law organization participation:</div><div id=\"field-international-law-organization-participation\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-citizenship\">Citizenship:</div><div id=\"field-citizenship\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">citizenship by birth:</span>no</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">citizenship by descent only:</span>at least one parent must be a citizen of the Comoros</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">dual citizenship recognized:</span>no</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">residency requirement for naturalization:</span>10 years</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-suffrage\">Suffrage:</div><div id=\"field-suffrage\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>18 years of age; universal</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-judicial-branch\">Judicial branch:</div><div id=\"field-judicial-branch\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">highest courts:</span>Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of 7 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 8 members)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">judge selection and term of office:</span>Supreme Court judges - 2 selected by the president of the Union, 2 by the Assembly of the Union, and 1 each by the 3 island councils; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court members appointed - 1 by the president, 1 each by the 3 vice presidents, 1 by the Assembly, and 1 each by the island executives; all members serve 6-year renewable terms</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subordinate courts:</span>Court of Appeals (in Moroni); Tribunal de premiere instance; island village (community) courts; religious courts</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-executive-branch\">Executive branch:</div><div id=\"field-executive-branch\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">chief of state:</span>President AZALI Assoumani(since 26 May 2016); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; Abdallah Said SAROUMA (since 26 May 2016), is vice president of Transportation, Posts, Telecommunication, etc.; Djaffer Ahmed SAID (since 26 May 2016), is vice president of Economy, Planning, Industry Crafts,etc.; Moustadroine ABDOU (since 26 May 2016), is vice president of Agriculture, Fishing, and the Environment</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">head of government:</span>President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2016); Vice Presidents: Abdallah Said SAROUMA, (since 26 May 2016), Djaffer Ahmed SAID (since 26 May 2016), and Moustadroine ABDOU (since 26 May 2016)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">cabinet:</span>Council of Ministers appointed by the president</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">elections/appointments:</span>president directly elected by simple majority popular vote in 2 rounds for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 February 2016 and second round held 10 April 2016 (next originally scheduled for 2021 but rescheduled for 2019)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">election results:</span>AZALI Assoumani (CRC) elected president in the second round; percent of vote in first round - Mohamed Ali SOILIHI (UPDC)17.6%, Mouigni BARAKA (RDC) 15.1%, AZALI Assoumani (CRC) 15.%, Fahmi Said IBRAHIM (PEC) 14.5%; percent of vote in second round - AZALI Assoumani (CRC) 41.%, Mohamed Ali SOILIHI (UPDC) 39.9%; Mouigni BARAKA (RDC)19.1%</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> a referendum held on 30 July 2018 overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that extends the term limits of the president and ends the rotation of the Union presidents among the three main islands</p></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-legislative-branch\">Legislative branch:</div><div id=\"field-legislative-branch\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">description:</span>unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 24 members directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed and 9 members indirectly elected by the 3 island assemblies; members serve 5-year terms)<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">elections:</span>last held on 25 January 2015 with a runoff on 22 February 2015 (next to be held in 2020)<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">election results:</span>percent of vote by party - UPDC 29.1%, PJ 20.5%, RDC 21.3%, other 29.1%; seats by party - UPDC 8, PJ 7, RDC 2, CRC 2, RADHI 1, PEC 1, independent 3; composition - men 32, women 1, percent of women 3%; note -  9 additional seats filled by the 3 island assemblies</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-political-parties-and-leaders\">Political parties and leaders:</div><div id=\"field-political-parties-and-leaders\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC [AZALI Assoumani]<br>Democratic Rally of the Comoros or RDC [Mouigni BARAKA]<br>Juwa Party or PJ [Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI]<br>Party for the Comorian Agreement (Partie Pour l'Entente Commorienne) or PEC [Fahmi Said IBRAHIM]<br>Rally for an Alternative of Harmonious and Integrated Development or RADHI [Abdou SOEFO]<br>Rally with a Development Initiative for Enlightened Youth or RIDJA [Said LARIFOU]<br>Union for the Development of the Comoros or UPDC [Mohamed HALIFA]</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-international-organization-participation\">International organization participation:</div><div id=\"field-international-organization-participation\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>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)</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-diplomatic-representation-in-the-us\">Diplomatic representation in the US:</div><div id=\"field-diplomatic-representation-in-the-us\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">chief of mission:</span>Ambassador Soilihi Mohamed SOILIHI (since 18 November 2014)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">chancery:</span>Mission to the US, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 418, New York, NY 10017</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">telephone:</span>[1] (212) 750-1637</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">FAX:</span>[1] (212) 750-1657</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-diplomatic-representation-from-the-us\">Diplomatic representation from the US:</div><div id=\"field-diplomatic-representation-from-the-us\"><div class=\"category_data note\">the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the US Ambassador to Madagascar is accredited to Comoros</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-flag-description\">Flag description:</div><div id=\"field-flag-description\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>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, Ndzuwani, and Mahore (Mayotte - department of France, but claimed by Comoros)</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam</p></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-national-symbol-s\">National symbol(s):</div><div id=\"field-national-symbol-s\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>four stars and crescent; national colors: green, white</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-national-anthem\">National anthem:</div><div id=\"field-national-anthem\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">name:</span>\"Udzima wa ya Masiwa\" (The Union of the Great Islands)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">lyrics/music:</span>Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE/Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE and Kamildine ABDALLAH</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> adopted 1978</p></div><div class=\"category_data attachment\"><audio type=\"audio/mp3\" controls=\"controls\" alt=\"National Anthem audio file for Comoros\" src=\"/attachments/audios/original/CN.mp3?1538604751\"></audio></div></div></li><li id='economy-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Economy'ccode='cn'>Economy ::<span class='region'>Comoros</span></div></li><li id='economy-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-economy-overview\">Economy - overview:</div><div id=\"field-economy-overview\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><p>One of the world's poorest and smallest economies, the Comoros is made up of three islands that are hampered by 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 and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, accounts for about 50% of GDP, employs a majority 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 (perfume essence); and the Comoros' export earnings are easily disrupted by disasters such as fires and extreme weather. Despite agriculture’s importance to the economy, the country imports roughly 70% of its food; rice, the main staple, and other dried vegetables account for more than 25% of imports. Remittances from about 300,000 Comorans contribute about 25% of the country’s GDP. France, Comoros’s colonial power, remains a key trading partner and bilateral donor.</p><p></p><p>Comoros faces an education system in need of upgrades, limited opportunities for private commercial and industrial enterprises, poor health services, limited exports, and a high population growth rate. Recurring political instability, sometimes initiated from outside the country, and an ongoing electricity crisis have inhibited growth. The government, elected in mid-2016, has moved to improve revenue mobilization, reduce expenditures, and improve electricity access, although the public sector wage bill remains one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. In mid-2017, Comoros joined the Southern African Development Community with 15 other regional member states.</p></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-purchasing-power-parity\">GDP (purchasing power parity):</div><div id=\"field-gdp-purchasing-power-parity\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1.319 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1.284 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1.257 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data are in 2017 dollars</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>201</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-official-exchange-rate\">GDP (official exchange rate):</div><div id=\"field-gdp-official-exchange-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$652 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(2017 est.)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-real-growth-rate\">GDP - real growth rate:</div><div id=\"field-gdp-real-growth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.7%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>125</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-per-capita-ppp\">GDP - per capita (PPP):</div><div id=\"field-gdp-per-capita-ppp\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1,600</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1,600</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1,600</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data are in 2017 dollars</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>216</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gross-national-saving\">Gross national saving:</div><div id=\"field-gross-national-saving\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">17.3% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">13.6% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">18% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>117</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-composition-by-end-use\">GDP - composition, by end use:</div><div id=\"field-gdp-composition-by-end-use\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">household consumption:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">92.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">government consumption:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">20.4%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">investment in fixed capital:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">20%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">investment in inventories:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">-3.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">exports of goods and services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">17.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">imports of goods and services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">-47.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-composition-by-sector-of-origin\">GDP - composition, by sector of origin:</div><div id=\"field-gdp-composition-by-sector-of-origin\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">agriculture:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">47.7%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">industry:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">11.8%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">40.5%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-agriculture-products\">Agriculture - products:</div><div id=\"field-agriculture-products\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>vanilla, cloves, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), coconuts, bananas, cassava (manioc)</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-industries\">Industries:</div><div id=\"field-industries\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>fishing, tourism, perfume distillation</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-industrial-production-growth-rate\">Industrial production growth rate:</div><div id=\"field-industrial-production-growth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>154</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-labor-force\">Labor force:</div><div id=\"field-labor-force\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">278,500</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>166</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-labor-force-by-occupation\">Labor force - by occupation:</div><div id=\"field-labor-force-by-occupation\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">agriculture:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">80%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">industry:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">20%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 1996\">(1996 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">industry and services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">20%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 1996\">(1996 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-unemployment-rate\">Unemployment rate:</div><div id=\"field-unemployment-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">6.5%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>96</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-population-below-poverty-line\">Population below poverty line:</div><div id=\"field-population-below-poverty-line\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">44.8%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2004\">(2004 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-household-income-or-consumption-by-percentage-share\">Household income or consumption by percentage share:</div><div id=\"field-household-income-or-consumption-by-percentage-share\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">lowest 10%:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">55.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2004\">(2004)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">highest 10%:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">55.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2004\">(2004)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-distribution-of-family-income-gini-index\">Distribution of family income - Gini index:</div><div id=\"field-distribution-of-family-income-gini-index\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">55.9</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2004\">(2004 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>8</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-budget\">Budget:</div><div id=\"field-budget\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">revenues:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">165.2 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">expenditures:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">207.3 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-taxes-and-other-revenues\">Taxes and other revenues:</div><div id=\"field-taxes-and-other-revenues\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">25.3% (of GDP)</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>117</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-budget-surplus-or-deficit\">Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):</div><div id=\"field-budget-surplus-or-deficit\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-6.5% (of GDP)</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>188</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-public-debt\">Public debt:</div><div id=\"field-public-debt\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">32.4% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">27.7% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>160</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-fiscal-year\">Fiscal year:</div><div id=\"field-fiscal-year\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>calendar year</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-inflation-rate-consumer-prices\">Inflation rate (consumer prices):</div><div id=\"field-inflation-rate-consumer-prices\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.8%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>50</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-central-bank-discount-rate\">Central bank discount rate:</div><div id=\"field-central-bank-discount-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.93%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2010\">(31 December 2010)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.21%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2009\">(31 December 2009)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>120</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-commercial-bank-prime-lending-rate\">Commercial bank prime lending rate:</div><div id=\"field-commercial-bank-prime-lending-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">10.5%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">10.5%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>81</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-narrow-money\">Stock of narrow money:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-narrow-money\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$200.8 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$180.5 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>183</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-broad-money\">Stock of broad money:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-broad-money\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$200.8 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$180.5 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>186</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-domestic-credit\">Stock of domestic credit:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-domestic-credit\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$208.5 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$183.9 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>184</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-current-account-balance\">Current account balance:</div><div id=\"field-current-account-balance\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-$27 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-$45 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>74</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exports\">Exports:</div><div id=\"field-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$18.9 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$17.9 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>212</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exports-partners\">Exports - partners:</div><div id=\"field-exports-partners\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>France 36.5%, India 12.2%, Germany 8.2%, Pakistan 6.3%, Switzerland 5.8%, South Korea 4.7%, Russia 4.3%<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exports-commodities\">Exports - commodities:</div><div id=\"field-exports-commodities\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), cloves</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-imports\">Imports:</div><div id=\"field-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$207.8 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$189.9 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>208</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-imports-commodities\">Imports - commodities:</div><div id=\"field-imports-commodities\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, cement and construction materials, transport equipment</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-imports-partners\">Imports - partners:</div><div id=\"field-imports-partners\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>UAE 32.8%, France 17.3%, China 13.2%, Madagascar 6.1%, Pakistan 4.5%, India 4.3%<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-reserves-of-foreign-exchange-and-gold\">Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:</div><div id=\"field-reserves-of-foreign-exchange-and-gold\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$208 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$159.5 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>173</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-debt-external\">Debt - external:</div><div id=\"field-debt-external\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$199.8 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$132 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>189</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exchange-rates\">Exchange rates:</div><div id=\"field-exchange-rates\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar -</div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">458.2</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">444.76</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">444.76</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">443.6</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">370.81</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013 est.)</span></div></div></li><li id='energy-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Energy'ccode='cn'>Energy ::<span class='region'>Comoros</span></div></li><li id='energy-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-access\">Electricity access:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-access\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">population without electricity:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">200,000</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">electrification - total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">69%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">electrification - urban areas:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">89%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">electrification - rural areas:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">62%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-production\">Electricity - production:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">42 million kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>207</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-consumption\">Electricity - consumption:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-consumption\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">39.06 million kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>207</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-exports\">Electricity - exports:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>122</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-imports\">Electricity - imports:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>136</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-installed-generating-capacity\">Electricity - installed generating capacity:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-installed-generating-capacity\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">27,000 kW</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>203</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-from-fossil-fuels\">Electricity - from fossil fuels:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-from-fossil-fuels\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">96% of total installed capacity</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>38</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-from-nuclear-fuels\">Electricity - from nuclear fuels:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-from-nuclear-fuels\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0% of total installed capacity</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>68</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-from-hydroelectric-plants\">Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-from-hydroelectric-plants\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">4% of total installed capacity</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>131</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-from-other-renewable-sources\">Electricity - from other renewable sources:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-from-other-renewable-sources\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0% of total installed capacity</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>181</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-production\">Crude oil - production:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>121</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-exports\">Crude oil - exports:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>107</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-imports\">Crude oil - imports:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>111</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-proved-reserves\">Crude oil - proved reserves:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-proved-reserves\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 1 January 2018\">(1 January 2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>118</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-refined-petroleum-products-production\">Refined petroleum products - production:</div><div id=\"field-refined-petroleum-products-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>131</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-refined-petroleum-products-consumption\">Refined petroleum products - consumption:</div><div id=\"field-refined-petroleum-products-consumption\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1,300 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>202</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-refined-petroleum-products-exports\">Refined petroleum products - exports:</div><div id=\"field-refined-petroleum-products-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>144</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-refined-petroleum-products-imports\">Refined petroleum products - imports:</div><div id=\"field-refined-petroleum-products-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1,241 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>198</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-production\">Natural gas - production:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>117</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-consumption\">Natural gas - consumption:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-consumption\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>133</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-exports\">Natural gas - exports:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>84</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-imports\">Natural gas - imports:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>107</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-proved-reserves\">Natural gas - proved reserves:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-proved-reserves\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 1 January 2014\">(1 January 2014 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>123</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-consumption-of-energy\">Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:</div><div id=\"field-carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-consumption-of-energy\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">193,600 Mt</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>201</span></div></div></li><li id='communications-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Communications'ccode='cn'>Communications ::<span class='region'>Comoros</span></div></li><li id='communications-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-telephones-fixed-lines\">Telephones - fixed lines:</div><div id=\"field-telephones-fixed-lines\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total subscriptions:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">17,212</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>183</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-telephones-mobile-cellular\">Telephones - mobile cellular:</div><div id=\"field-telephones-mobile-cellular\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total subscriptions:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">446,868</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">55</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>173</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-telephone-system\">Telephone system:</div><div id=\"field-telephone-system\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">general assessment:</span>sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations; telephone service limited to the islands' few towns<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">domestic:</span>fixed-line connections only about 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage over 55 per 100 persons; two companies, Comoros Telecom and Telma, provide domestic and international mobile service and wireless data<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">international:</span>country code - 269; landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system connecting East Africa with Europe and North America; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-broadcast-media\">Broadcast media:</div><div id=\"field-broadcast-media\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>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<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2007\">(2007)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-internet-country-code\">Internet country code:</div><div id=\"field-internet-country-code\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>.km</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-internet-users\">Internet users:</div><div id=\"field-internet-users\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">63,084</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2016\">(July 2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">percent of population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">7.9%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2016\">(July 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>185</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-broadband-fixed-subscriptions\">Broadband - fixed subscriptions:</div><div id=\"field-broadband-fixed-subscriptions\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1,644</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">less than 1</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>185</span></div></div></li><li id='transportation-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Transportation'ccode='cn'>Transportation ::<span class='region'>Comoros</span></div></li><li id='transportation-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-national-air-transport-system\">National air transport system:</div><div id=\"field-national-air-transport-system\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">number of registered air carriers:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">9</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-civil-aircraft-registration-country-code-prefix\">Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:</div><div id=\"field-civil-aircraft-registration-country-code-prefix\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>D6<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-airports\">Airports:</div><div id=\"field-airports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">4</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>186</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-airports-with-paved-runways\">Airports - with paved runways:</div><div id=\"field-airports-with-paved-runways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">4</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">2,438 to 3,047 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">914 to 1,523 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">3</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-roadways\">Roadways:</div><div id=\"field-roadways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">880 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2002\">(2002)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">paved:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">673 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2002\">(2002)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">unpaved:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">207 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2002\">(2002)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>188</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-merchant-marine\">Merchant marine:</div><div id=\"field-merchant-marine\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">203</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">by type:</span>bulk carrier 4, container ship 1, general cargo 86, oil tanker 26, other 86<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>65</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-ports-and-terminals\">Ports and terminals:</div><div id=\"field-ports-and-terminals\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">major seaport(s):</span>Moroni, Moutsamoudou</div></div></li><li id='military-and-security-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Military and Security'ccode='cn'>Military and Security ::<span class='region'>Comoros</span></div></li><li id='military-and-security-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-military-and-security-military-branches\">Military branches:</div><div id=\"field-military-branches\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>National Army for Development (l'Armee Nationale de Developpement, AND): Comoran Security Force (also called Comoran Defense Force (Force Comorienne de Defense, FCD), includes Gendarmerie), Comoran Coast Guard, Comoran Federal Police<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-military-and-security-military-service-age-and-obligation\">Military service age and obligation:</div><div id=\"field-military-service-age-and-obligation\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>18 years of age for 2-year voluntary male and female military service; no conscription<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div></div></li><li id='transnational-issues-category-section-anchor'><div class='question afr_med' sectiontitle='Transnational Issues'ccode='cn'>Transnational Issues ::<span class='region'>Comoros</span></div></li><li id='transnational-issues-category-section'><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transnational-issues-disputes-international\">Disputes - international:</div><div id=\"field-disputes-international\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>claims French-administered Mayotte and challenges France's and Madagascar's claims to Banc du Geyser, a drying reef in the Mozambique Channel</div></div><div class=\"category afr_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transnational-issues-trafficking-in-persons\">Trafficking in persons:</div><div id=\"field-trafficking-in-persons\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">current situation:</span>Comoros is a source country for children subjected to forced labor and, reportedly, sex trafficking domestically, and women and children are subjected to forced labor in Mayotte; it is possibly a transit and destination country for Malagasy women and girls and a transit country for East African women and girls exploited in domestic service in the Middle East; Comoran children are forced to labor in domestic service, roadside and street vending, baking, fishing, and agriculture; some Comoran students at Koranic schools are exploited for forced agricultural or domestic labor, sometimes being subjected to physical and sexual abuse; Comoros may be particularly vulnerable to transnational trafficking because of inadequate border controls, government corruption, and the presence of international criminal networks</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">tier rating:</span>Tier 3 – Comoros does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and was placed on Tier 3 after being on the Tier 2 Watch List for two consecutive years without making progress; Parliament passed revisions to the penal code in 2014, including anti-trafficking provisions and enforcement guidelines, but these amendments have not yet been passed approved by the President and put into effect; a new child labor law was passed in 2015 prohibiting child trafficking, but existing laws do not criminalize the forced prostitution of adults; authorities did not investigate, prosecute, or convict alleged trafficking offenders, including complicit officials; the government lacked victim identification and care referral procedures, did not assist any victims during 2014, and provided minimal support to NGOs offering victims psychosocial services (2015)</div></div></li></ul></div>"}