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Mayotte
Mayotte is an island in the Indian Ocean, between Madagascar and the African continent (Mozambique). It is part of the Comoros archipelago.
Key points of the sheet
- Mayotte is both an Overseas Département and an Overseas Region (DROM). Its prefecture (préfecture) is Mamoudzou.
- The main towns are Mamoudzou, Dzaoudzi, Koungou, Dembéni and Bandraboua.
- Mayotte has about 321,000 inhabitants (estimate). The population is growing fast and is very young: half are under 18.
- The key sectors are subsistence farming, fishing, administration, construction and small shops. There are development projects in infrastructure and health.
- Unemployment is very high: about 35% of the working population. The standard of living is much lower than the national average.
Words to know
- Overseas Département and Region (DROM)
- Mayotte is a DROM: it is both an Overseas Département and an Overseas Region.
- Comoros archipelago (archipel des Comores)
- It is the group of islands that Mayotte is part of.
- Mamoudzou
- It is the prefecture (préfecture) of Mayotte and one of its main towns.
- subsistence farming (Agriculture vivrière)
- It is one of the key economic sectors of Mayotte.
- unemployment rate (taux de chômage)
- In Mayotte, it is very high: about 35% of the working population.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Which town is the prefecture (préfecture) of Mayotte?
In French, the language of the exam: Quelle ville est la préfecture de Mayotte ?
The sheet states that Mamoudzou is the prefecture of Mayotte.
In Mayotte, what share of the population is under 18?
In French, the language of the exam: À Mayotte, quelle part de la population a moins de 18 ans ?
The population of Mayotte is very young: half are under 18.
What is the unemployment rate in Mayotte?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel est le taux de chômage à Mayotte ?
Unemployment is very high in Mayotte: about 35% of the working population.
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Source
Sheet “Mayotte” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.