Quick facts
Comoros population overview
The Comoros is the 51st most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 891,758 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.8% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 44 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 24,434 births (27.4 per 1,000 people) and 6,153 deaths (6.9 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 2,229 people. The infant mortality rate is 33.3 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 197,700 in 1960 to 882,847 in 2025 — a change of +346.6%, or +2.3% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 20.7 years; life expectancy at birth is 67.5 years; women have on average 3.8 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 36.9% of residents are under 15 and 4.5% are 65 or older (2025); 33.9% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Moroni. The Comoros covers 1,861 km², giving a population density of about 486 people per km². GDP was $1.81B in 2025 — about $2,056 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Comoros population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 904,487 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 891,758 |
| World rank | #163 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #51 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.011% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.8% |
| Births per year est. | 24,434 |
| Deaths per year est. | 6,153 |
| Net migration per year est. | -2,229 |
| Birth rate | 27.4 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.9 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 33.3 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 101.1 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 20.7 years |
| Life expectancy | 67.5 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.8 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 33.9% |
| Surface area 2023 | 1,861 km² |
| Population density | 486 per km² |
| Capital | Moroni |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $1.81B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $2,056 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Comoros population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 904,487 | – | – |
| 2025 | 882,847 | +16,219 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | 866,628 | +16,241 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | 850,387 | +16,199 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | 834,188 | +16,014 | +2% |
| 2021 | 818,174 | +16,011 | +2% |
| 2020 | 802,163 | +75,481 | +2% |
| 2015 | 726,682 | +71,846 | +2.1% |
| 2010 | 654,836 | +62,159 | +2% |
| 2005 | 592,677 | +56,597 | +2% |
| 2000 | 536,080 | +45,494 | +1.8% |
| 1995 | 490,586 | +45,990 | +2% |
| 1990 | 444,596 | +56,244 | +2.7% |
| 1985 | 388,352 | +50,631 | +2.8% |
| 1980 | 337,721 | +50,029 | +3.3% |
| 1975 | 287,692 | +43,507 | +3.3% |
| 1970 | 244,185 | +29,218 | +2.6% |
| 1965 | 214,967 | +17,267 | +1.7% |
| 1960 | 197,700 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Comoros
Population over time
- From 197,700 in 1960 to 904,487 today — up 357.5%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 67 years (2024), up 26.2 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.8 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 28.2 births vs 7.1 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 21.1 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 36.9% of the population is under 15 and 4.5% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 3.6% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.45 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0.51 t in 2024, vs 0.09 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 66.46 kg of oil equivalent per person (2007), up 65.6% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 39.3% of final energy in 2022 (-34.7 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 17% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 24.8% to 17% since 1990 — roughly 145 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 33.9% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 13.2% in 1960 (+20.8 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 0.8% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 1,439 m³ in 2022, down 75.9% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $1.81B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 87.9% since 2015.
- That works out to $2,056 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 3.8% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 3.2% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 32.5% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 109.9 per 100 people (2023) — more subscriptions than people.
Comoros in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Comoros in 2026?
As of October 2026, the Comoros has an estimated population of 904,487. The United Nations estimated 891,758 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.8% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the Comoros growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.8% per year — roughly 44 more people every day. Each year there are about 24,434 births and 6,153 deaths, with net migration of -2,229.
What is the population density of the Comoros?
About 486 people per square kilometre: 904,487 people living on 1,861 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the Comoros?
The median age is 20.7 years, and life expectancy at birth is 67.5 years. 36.9% of the population is under 15 and 4.5% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the Comoros rank by population?
The Comoros is the 163rd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 51st in Africa, with 0.011% of the global population.
How has the population of the Comoros changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 197,700; by 2025 it had grown to 882,847 (+346.6%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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GuyanaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.8%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.