Jacques-Nicolas Bellin, (1703-1772 ), Cartographe.- Carte des i…

A vanilla planifolia vine growing up a tree in a vanilla planta…

Women fishing with nets off the coast of Anjouan, one of the th…

Comoros

Country Information of Comoros

Comoros is a small archipelago nestled in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the African mainland, offering a unique and somewhat challenging environment for expatriates. The country consists of three main islands—Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Anjo...

Capital

Moroni

Languages

Arabic, French, Comorian

UN-Member?

Yes

Major Cities

Moroni,Moutsamoudou,Fomboni,Tsimbeo,Domoni,Ouani,Sima,Koni-Djodjo,Moya,Barakani

Major Cities

What Expats Say About ComorosBETA

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We're gradually rolling out this feature and continuously improving the insights. The data is based on real expat discussions and will become more comprehensive over time.

Demographics in Comoros

Life Expectancy

63.7

Population

869,595

Religions

Islam

98.1%

Christianity

0.6%

Ethnic Composition

<!--The following is sourced (see ethnic_groups_year above)

N/A

so please do not change it without also replacing that source:-->{{ublist

N/A

Climate & Weather in Comoros

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Safety & Security in Comoros

Overall Safety Score

Calculated from crime, safety, and healthcare indices

MODERATE

/100

Worldwide Average

Moderate54/100

Africa Average

Low45/100

Crime & Safety Metrics

Index

Compare:

Comoros

Africa Average

Safety Index

Moderate

Safety from Crime

Moderate

Safe Alone (Day)

Good

Safe Alone (Night)

Moderate

Safety from Violent Crime

Moderate

Safety from Property Crime

Concerning

Healthcare & Emergency Response

Index

Healthcare Index

N/A

Healthcare Quality

N/A

Emergency Response

N/A

Emergency Services

• Emergency Number: 17 (universal emergency)

• Ambulance Response: 15-30 minutes in urban areas, up to 60 minutes in rural regions

• Hospital Coverage: Limited public healthcare system with few medical facilities

• Trauma Centers: Very limited, primarily in Moroni and Mutsamudu

• Language Support: French and Arabic primarily used in emergency services

Emergency Numbers:

• Universal Emergency: 17

• Medical: 17

• Police: 17

• Fire: 18

Response Times:

• Urban areas: ~20 minutes

• Rural areas: ~45 minutes

Hospital System:

Minimal public healthcare infrastructure with few hospitals, primarily concentrated in urban areas

Major Trauma Centers:

Moroni, Mutsamudu

Language Support:

Emergency services primarily operate in French and Arabic

Data Completeness: partial

Entry Restrictions in Comoros

Summarizing data... just a few seconds

Visa Requirements for Comoros

Living Costs in Comoros

Crime & Safety in Comoros

Health System in Comoros

Advantages in Comoros

Disadvantages in Comoros

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Government & Politics in Comoros

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Economic Overview in Comoros

Index

GDP

$1.30B

HDI

0.6

Quality of Life

N/A

NYC baseline: 43

Purchasing Power

Avg: N/A

Last updated: 2025-03-30

Education System in Comoros

Research in progress... please wait a minute

Transportation & Infrastructure in Comoros

Comoros, an archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean with a population of about 870,000, faces significant transportation challenges due to its island geography and limited infrastructure. Key strengths include ongoing World Bank and AfDB-funded projects rehabilitating roads (880 km total, 673 km paved) and modernizing ports like Moroni and Boingoma for better inter-island maritime connectivity. Challenges persist with poor road maintenance, no railways, and basic public transport reliant on minibuses and ferries. Residents and visitors primarily use shared taxis, ferries, and the 4 airports (3 major) for mobility, driving on the right side.

Public Transport

Below Average

Road Infrastructure

Below Average

Public Transport

2.5/10

Limited public transport with no metro, trains, or formal bus networks. Reliance on informal minibuses (clandos) and ferries between islands Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Mohéli. Poor integration, low frequency, and vulnerability to weather disruptions.

Road Infrastructure

3.2/10

Total 880 km roads, 673 km paved, but many suffer poor maintenance, potholes, and climate damage from cyclones/floods. No highways; ongoing rehabilitation of RN2, RN23 via World Bank projects. Urban roads basic, rural often impassable; safety concerns rising.

Internet Speed

3.8/10

Average fixed broadband speed around 25 Mbps; mobile internet dominant at 15-20 Mbps. Limited fiber optic mainly in Moroni; significant urban-rural gap. 4G widespread in populated areas, improving via investments but infrastructure lags.

Avg: 25.4+ Mbps • Limited to urban centers like Moroni; expanding slowly with submarine cable upgrades

Airport Connectivity

4.2/10

4 airports total, 3 major: Prince Said Ibrahim (Grande Comore), Ouani (Anjouan), Bandrélé (Mohéli). Basic international links to Africa/Europe/Middle East via Air Austral, Kenya Airways; limited domestic flights. No major hubs.

Transportation Costs

Metro Pass: N/A (no metro/system)
Bus Trip: N/A (informal minibuses ~500-1000 KMF/ride)
Taxi: N/A (~200 KMF start + 100-200 KMF/km; shared taxis common)
High-speed Train: N/A (no trains)

Mobile Network

5G Coverage: Limited pilots in Moroni; no widespread deployment as of 2026

4G Coverage: Good urban coverage (70-80% population); patchy rural/island interiors

Operators Comores Telecom and Moov provide reliable 4G in cities; frequent outages from power/infrastructure issues. Mobile dominant for internet access.

Driving License

IDP requiredConversion needed

International Driving Permit required with national license for foreigners; valid 3-6 months. EU licenses need IDP. Long-term residents must convert to Comorian license via exam/test after 6 months.

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Work & Business in Comoros

Comoros, a small Indian Ocean archipelago with a population of about 870,000, features a developing economy driven by agriculture, fisheries, and tourism. The business environment offers opportunities in export-oriented sectors like spices and essential oils, supported by government incentives and a strategic location, though challenges include high informality and limited infrastructure. Entrepreneurs can tap into underexplored markets, while workers find roles in subsistence farming and public services amid moderate job growth projections.

Employment Rate

45.0%

Below-average employment rate with 19-20% official unemployment, higher among youth. Informal sector employs ~60% of workforce, mainly in agriculture; labor force ~360,000. Challenges in formal job creation due to low skills and poor business environment.

Startup Ecosystem

25.0%

Limited startup activity with minimal VC funding, incubators, or success stories. Government offers incentives like tax exemptions and free trade zones, but poor access to finance, weak infrastructure, and informal dominance hinder entrepreneurial culture.

Average Salary Range

KMF 1,800,000 - KMF 3,600,000 annually

Low salaries reflect developing economy; public white-collar roles ~€150-300/month (1.8-3.6M KMF/year). Agriculture/informal pay less; purchasing power strained by imports reliance, but low living costs outside essentials. Higher in telecoms/public admin.

Work Visa Requirements

EU Citizens:

EU citizens can visit visa-free for 90 days; work permit required for employment via local sponsorship and Ministry of Interior approval. French ties ease processes for skilled roles.

Non-EU Citizens:

Visa required for stays over 90 days; work authorization needs job offer, employer sponsorship, and labor ministry approval. Processing 1-3 months; limited skilled worker programs.

Restrictive policies prioritize locals; no digital nomad visa. Applications via Comorian embassies/consulates require contracts, qualifications. Timelines 4-12 weeks; French fluency advantageous due to official language status.

Business Registration

Timeline:

2-4 weeks

Register at Commercial Court with statutes, shareholder IDs; obtain tax ID from Directorate of Taxes. No minimum capital for most structures; incentives include tax exemptions. Streamlined but challenged by bureaucracy; online elements limited.

Remote Work Policies

Legal Status:

No specific remote work laws; governed by general labor code. Cross-border remote work requires work permits; digital nomad options absent.

Limited remote work prevalence due to poor internet/infrastructure. Informal economy dominates; co-working scarce. Post-pandemic hybrid rare outside NGOs/telecoms; employer attitudes traditional.

Key Industries

Agriculture

Fisheries

Tourism

Public Administration

Telecommunications

Trade & Commerce

Job Opportunities by Sector

Agriculture:

Demand for farm workers, spice processors; subsistence dominant but export potential in vanilla/y-lang ylang. Low skills needed; growth via modernization. Salaries minimal, seasonal.

Fisheries:

Opportunities in fishing, processing; untapped marine resources. Government pushes exports; training programs emerging. Entry-level roles abundant, moderate growth potential.

Tourism:

Hotel staff, guides needed with unique island appeal. Infrastructure limits scale; French/Arabic speakers advantaged. Seasonal jobs; potential in eco-tourism expansion.

Public Administration:

Stable roles in government, schools, hospitals as top employers. Requires local language; civil service hiring steady but slow promotion. Youth entry point.

Telecommunications:

Tech support, sales positions growing with mobile penetration. Higher salaries; skills in IT/French valued. Limited but expanding formal opportunities.

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Retirement & Senior Living in Comoros

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Legal & Administrative in Comoros

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Environment & Sustainability in Comoros

Comoros, a lower-middle-income island nation in the Indian Ocean, faces significant climate vulnerability as the 29th-most vulnerable country to climate change globally, with limited adaptive capacity (163rd in readiness). The archipelago experiences substantial deforestation, losing 6.6 kha of tree cover from 2001-2024, and faces escalating natural disaster risks including tropical cyclones that cause severe economic damage.

Air Quality Index

Moderate

6.5/10

Stable trend

Air quality data for Comoros is limited in public databases. The country faces challenges from indoor air pollution and ambient air pollution, with age-standardized death rates tracked by health authorities. Limited industrial monitoring and urban air quality assessment infrastructure constrains comprehensive AQI reporting.

Water Quality

Moderate

5.5/10

Comoros faces significant water quality challenges linked to coastal resource degradation and limited governance infrastructure. Open access to coastal commons drives resource degradation, requiring enforceable governance systems to regulate marine and coastal water exploitation. Access to clean water and sanitation remains a development priority under SDG 6.

Water safety standards require strengthening through improved governance and treatment infrastructure. The World Bank identifies open-access coastal commons as a principal driver of water resource degradation.

Recycling System

Comoros lacks comprehensive public data on formal recycling infrastructure and rates. Waste management systems remain underdeveloped, with limited segregation and recycling facilities. The country prioritizes SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) but faces implementation challenges due to limited resources and infrastructure investment.

Green Spaces

Comoros has experienced significant forest loss, declining from 2000 baseline levels. Between 2001-2024, the country lost 6.6 kha of tree cover, representing 5.0% of the 2000 forest cover area and generating 3.2 Mt of CO₂e emissions. Recent deforestation alerts (78 alerts in October 2025) indicate ongoing pressure on remaining forest resources.

Forest Coverage: 24.5%

Comoros maintains protected forest areas under international frameworks, though specific park counts and detailed protection status require further documentation. Forest conservation efforts focus on reducing deforestation rates and maintaining biodiversity.

Environmental Policies

Comoros has committed to international environmental frameworks including the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. The country's environmental policies address climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and natural resource management. Government effectiveness in environmental enforcement remains limited (42.5 score on governance index), constraining policy implementation.

Key Policies:

•Paris Agreement commitment and climate adaptation planning
•Sustainable Development Goals integration (SDG 13 Climate Action, SDG 14 Life Below Water, SDG 15 Life on Land)
•Coastal resource governance and marine protection initiatives
•Disaster risk reduction and climate resilience programs

Renewable Energy: Renewable energy data for Comoros is not publicly available in comprehensive databases. The country's energy sector remains dependent on hydrocarbon imports, with limited renewable energy infrastructure development documented.

Natural Disaster Risk

HIGH

Comoros faces extreme natural disaster vulnerability from tropical cyclones and severe weather events. Between 2018-2023, 11 tropical depressions or cyclones impacted the country. Cyclone Kenneth (2019) caused 14% of GDP in damage, reducing economic growth from 3.6% to 1.9%. Annual climate-related disaster costs average $5.7 million (9.2% of GDP).

Tropical cyclones and depressionsExtreme precipitation eventsStorm surge and coastal floodingLandslides

Climate Change Impacts: Comoros experiences accelerating climate change impacts with extreme vulnerability. Extreme precipitation events with 100-year return periods are projected to occur 74% more frequently by mid-century (2035-2064). The archipelago ranks 29th globally in climate vulnerability but only 163rd in adaptive capacity. Rising sea levels threaten coastal infrastructure and communities. Increased cyclone intensity and frequency directly correlate with warming Indian Ocean temperatures, amplifying economic losses and humanitarian risks.

Sustainability Initiatives

Climate Adaptation and Resilience

Comoros implements climate adaptation programs through international partnerships and national frameworks. The World Bank's Country Climate and Development Report (2025) identifies opportunities to strengthen preparedness and resilience against climate change challenges. Adaptation priorities include disaster risk reduction, coastal protection, and livelihood diversification in vulnerable communities.

Forest Conservation and Deforestation Reduction

Comoros participates in global forest monitoring through Global Forest Watch initiatives. Recent deforestation alerts (78 in October 2025) indicate ongoing monitoring and enforcement efforts. The country aims to reduce tree cover loss through protected area management and sustainable land-use practices, though implementation capacity remains limited.

Coastal and Marine Resource Governance

The World Bank identifies enforceable governance systems as critical for regulating coastal commons access and resource exploitation. Initiatives focus on sustainable marine resource management, addressing open-access degradation through institutional frameworks that accommodate diverse marine environments while protecting local livelihoods.

Wildlife & Nature

Comoros CoelacanthVulnerable

Indian Ocean Marine EcosystemsVulnerable

Comoros Forest FaunaVulnerable

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Geography in Comoros

Coastline

N/A

Highest Point

Mount Karthala

Lowest Point

Indian Ocean

National Flag

Quick Facts for Comoros

Population

869,595

Currency

KMF

Timezone

UTC+03:00

Calling Code

+269

Week starts on

monday

Gini Coefficient

45.3 (2014)

Drives on the

right side

Location

Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.

All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.

Comoros

Capital

Languages

UN-Member?

Major Cities

Life Expectancy

Population

Religions

Ethnic Composition

Overall Safety Score

Crime & Safety Metrics

Healthcare & Emergency Response

Emergency Services

GDP

HDI

Quality of Life

Purchasing Power

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

Gasoline (1 liter)

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data

Milk (regular), (1 liter)

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)

Eggs (regular) (12)

Local Cheese (1kg)

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

Public Transport

Road Infrastructure

Public Transport

Road Infrastructure

Internet Speed

Airport Connectivity

Transportation Costs

Mobile Network

Driving License

Employment Rate

Startup Ecosystem

Average Salary Range

Work Visa Requirements

Business Registration

Remote Work Policies

Key Industries

Job Opportunities by Sector

Cultural Integration Score

Expat Community

Social Activities

Religious Facilities

Volunteer Opportunities

Dating & Relationships

Professional Networking

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Air Quality Index

Water Quality

Recycling System

Green Spaces

Environmental Policies

Natural Disaster Risk

Sustainability Initiatives

Wildlife & Nature

Coastline

Highest Point

Lowest Point

Overall Safety Score

Crime & Safety Metrics

Healthcare & Emergency Response

Emergency Services