but claimed by the Comoros)

@Comoros, Economy

Overview:
One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of several
islands that have poor transportation links, a young and rapidly
increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational
level of the labor force contributes to a low level of economic
activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants
and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and
forestry, is the leading sector of the economy. It contributes 40% to
GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports.
The country is not self-sufficient in food production, and rice, the
main staple, accounts for 90% of imports. During 1982-86 the
industrial sector grew at an annual average rate of 5.3%, but its
contribution to GDP is small. Despite major investment in the tourist
industry, which accounts for about 25% of GDP, growth has stagnated
since 1983. A sluggish growth rate of 1.5% during 1985-90 has led to
large budget deficits, declining incomes, and balance-of-payments
difficulties. Estimates for 1992 show a moderate increase in the
growth rate based on increased exports, tourism, and government
investment outlays.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $360 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
5% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$700 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
over 15.9% (1989)
Budget:
revenues:
$96 million
expenditures:
$88 million, including capital expenditures of $33 million (1991 est.)
Exports:
$21 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
vanilla, cloves, perfume oil, copra, ylang-ylang
partners:
US 53%, France 41%, Africa 4%, FRG 2% (1988)
Imports:
$60 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
rice and other foodstuffs, cement, petroleum products, consumer goods
partners:
Europe 62% (France 22%), Africa 5%, Pakistan, China (1988)
External debt:
$160 million (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -6.5% (1989 est.); accounts for 10% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
16,000 kW
production:
25 million kWh
consumption per capita:
50 kWh (1991)
Industries:
perfume distillation, textiles, furniture, jewelry, construction
materials, soft drinks
Agriculture:
accounts for 40% of GDP; most of population works in subsistence
agricult