The Comorians inhabiting Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli (86% of the population) share African-Arab origins. Islam (See Islam in Comoros) is the dominant religion, and Koranic schools for children reinforce its influence. Although Arab culture is firmly established throughout the archipelago, a substantial minority of the citizens of Mayotte (the Mahorais) are Catholic and have been strongly influenced by French culture.

The most common language is Shikomoro , a Swahili dialect. French and Arabic also are spoken. About 57% of the population is literate.

Population: 578,400 (July 2000 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 123,891; female 123,241)
15-64 years: 54% (male 155,062; female 159,287)
65 years and over: 3% (male 8,072; female 8,847) (2000 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.05% (2000 est.)

Birth rate: 40.05 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate: 9.59 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 86.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 60.03 years
male: 57.85 years
female: 62.28 years (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.38 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Comoran(s)
adjective: Comoran

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

Religions: Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%

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

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

See also : Comoros