years and over: 3% (male 7,242; female 8,048) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.55% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 45.82 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 10.28 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 75.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 58.7 years
male: 56.43 years
female: 61.05 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.65 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Comoran(s)
adjective: Comoran

Ethnic divisions: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava

Religions: Sunni Muslim 86%, Roman Catholic 14%

Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Comoran (a blend
of Swahili and Arabic)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 57.3%
male: 64.2%
female: 50.4%

Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros
conventional short form: Comoros
local long form: Republique Federale Islamique des Comores
local short form: Comores

Data code: CN

Type of government: independent republic

Capital: Moroni

Administrative divisions: three islands; Grand Comore (Njazidja),
Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali)
note: there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni,
Moroni, and Mutsamudu

Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France)

National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975)

Constitution: 7 June 1992

Legal system: French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim (since 16 March
1996) was elected by popular vote; election last held 16 March 1996
(next to be held March 2001)
head of government: Prime Minister MASSOUNDI Tadjidine Ben Said
(since March 1996) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
Federal Assembly (Assemblee Federale): elections last held 12-20
December 1993 (next to be held by NA January 1998); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (42 total) ruling coalition: