2022 Edition

Background

In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, a series of Moroccan Muslim dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad al-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. The Alaouite Dynasty, to which the current Moroccan royal family belongs, dates from the 17th century. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half-century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Sultan MOHAMMED V, the current monarch's grandfather, organized the new state as a constitutional monarchy and in 1957 assumed the title of king. Since Spain's 1976 withdrawal from Western Sahara, Morocco has extended its de facto administrative control to roughly 75% of this territory; however, the UN does not recognize Morocco as the administering power for Western Sahara. The UN since 1991 has monitored a cease-fire between Morocco and the Polisario Front - an organization advocating the territory’s independence - and restarted negotiations over the status of the territory in December 2018. On 10 December 2020, the US recognized Morocco's sovereignty over all of Western Sahara. King MOHAMMED VI in early 2011 responded to the spread of pro-democracy protests in the North Africa region by implementing a reform program that included a new constitution, passed by popular referendum in July 2011, under which some new powers were extended to parliament and the prime minister, but ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch. In November 2011, the Justice and Development Party (PJD) - a moderate Islamist party - won the largest number of seats in parliamentary elections, becoming the first Islamist party to lead the Moroccan Government. In September 2015, Morocco held its first direct elections for regional councils, one of the reforms included in the 2011 constitution. The PJD again won the largest number of seats in nationwide parliamentary elections in October 2016, but it lost its plurality to the probusiness National Rally of Independents (RNI) in September 2021. In December 2020, Morocco signed a normalization agreement with Israel, similar to those that Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Sudan had concluded with Israel earlier in 2020.

Area

land

716,300 sq km

total

716,550 sq km

water

250 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than twice the size of California

Climate

Mediterranean in the north, becoming more extreme in the interior; in the south, hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew

note

note:  data does not include former Western Sahara

Coastline

2,945 km

Elevation

highest point

Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m

lowest point

Sebkha Tah -59 m

mean elevation

909 m

Geographic coordinates

28 30 N, 10 00 W

Geography - note

strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar; the only African nation to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines; the waters off the Atlantic coast are particularly rich fishing areas

Irrigated land

17,645 sq km (2019)

Land boundaries

border countries

Algeria 1,941 km; Mauritania 1,564 km; Spain (Ceuta) 8 km and Spain (Melilla) 10.5 km

note

note: an additional 75-meter border segment exists between Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Penon de Velez de la Gomera

total

3,523.5 km

Land use

agricultural land

67.5% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 17.5% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 2.9% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 47.1% (2018 est.)

forest

11.5% (2018 est.)

note

note: does not include the area of the former Western Sahara, which is almost exclusively desert

other

21% (2018 est.)

Location

Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Mauritania

Major rivers (by length in km)

Draa - 1,100 km

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

in the north, the mountains are geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts; windstorms; flash floods; landslides; in the south, a hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility

Natural resources

phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt

Population distribution

the highest population density is found along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts; a number of densely populated agglomerations are found scattered through the Atlas Mountains as shown in this population distribution map

Terrain

mountainous northern coast (Rif Mountains) and interior (Atlas Mountains) bordered by large plateaus with intermontane valleys, and fertile coastal plains; the south is mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces 

Age structure

0-14 years

27.04% (male 4,905,626/female 4,709,333)

15-24 years

16.55% (male 2,953,523/female 2,930,708)

25-54 years

40.64% (male 7,126,781/female 7,325,709)

55-64 years

8.67% (male 1,533,771/female 1,548,315)

65 years and over

7.11% (male 1,225,307/female 1,302,581) (2020 est.)

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

0.18 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

0.51 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

0.24 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

17.42 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Child marriage

women married by age 15

0.5%

women married by age 18

13.7% (2018 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2.6% (2017/18)

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Contraceptive prevalence rate

70.8% (2018)

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Current health expenditure

5.3% of GDP (2019)

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Death rate

6.6 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Demographic profile

Morocco is undergoing a demographic transition. Its population is growing but at a declining rate, as people live longer and women have fewer children. Infant, child, and maternal mortality rates have been reduced through better health care, nutrition, hygiene, and vaccination coverage, although disparities between urban and rural and rich and poor households persist. Morocco’s shrinking child cohort reflects the decline of its total fertility rate from 5 in mid-1980s to 2.2 in 2010, which is a result of increased female educational attainment, higher contraceptive use, delayed marriage, and the desire for smaller families. Young adults (persons aged 15-29) make up almost 26% of the total population and represent a potential economic asset if they can be gainfully employed. Currently, however, many youths are unemployed because Morocco’s job creation rate has not kept pace with the growth of its working-age population. Most youths who have jobs work in the informal sector with little security or benefits.During the second half of the 20th century, Morocco became one of the world’s top emigration countries, creating large, widely dispersed migrant communities in Western Europe. The Moroccan Government has encouraged emigration since its independence in 1956, both to secure remittances for funding national development and as an outlet to prevent unrest in rebellious (often Berber) areas. Although Moroccan labor migrants earlier targeted Algeria and France, the flood of Moroccan "guest workers" from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s spread widely across northwestern Europe to fill unskilled jobs in the booming manufacturing, mining, construction, and agriculture industries. Host societies and most Moroccan migrants expected this migration to be temporary, but deteriorating economic conditions in Morocco related to the 1973 oil crisis and tighter European immigration policies resulted in these stays becoming permanent.A wave of family migration followed in the 1970s and 1980s, with a growing number of second generation Moroccans opting to become naturalized citizens of their host countries. Spain and Italy emerged as new destination countries in the mid-1980s, but their introduction of visa restrictions in the early 1990s pushed Moroccans increasingly to migrate either legally by marrying Moroccans already in Europe or illegally to work in the underground economy. Women began to make up a growing share of these labor migrants. At the same time, some higher-skilled Moroccans went to the US and Quebec, Canada.In the mid-1990s, Morocco developed into a transit country for asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa and illegal labor migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia trying to reach Europe via southern Spain, Spain’s Canary Islands, or Spain’s North African enclaves, Ceuta and Melilla. Forcible expulsions by Moroccan and Spanish security forces have not deterred these illegal migrants or calmed Europe’s security concerns. Rabat remains unlikely to adopt an EU agreement to take back third-country nationals who have entered the EU illegally via Morocco. Thousands of other illegal migrants have chosen to stay in Morocco until they earn enough money for further travel or permanently as a "second-best" option. The launching of a regularization program in 2014 legalized the status of some migrants and granted them equal access to education, health care, and work, but xenophobia and racism remain obstacles.

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

11.3

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

potential support ratio

8.9 (2021 est.)

total dependency ratio

52.2

youth dependency ratio

40.9

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: 79.1% of population

improved: total

total: 91% of population

improved: urban

urban: 98.3% of population

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

unimproved: rural

rural: 20.9% of population

unimproved: total

total: 9% of population (2017 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 1.7% of population

Education expenditures

6.8% of GDP (2020)

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Ethnic groups

Arab-Berber 99%, other 1%

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

(2021 est.) <0.1%

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Hospital bed density

1 beds/1,000 population (2017)

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Infant mortality rate

female

16.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)

male

21.47 deaths/1,000 live births

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

total

19.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Languages

Arabic (official), Berber languages (Tamazight (official), Tachelhit, Tarifit), French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy); note - the proportion of Berber speakers is disputed

major-language sample(s)

كتاب ديال لحقائق متاع العالم، احسن مصدر متاع المعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Life expectancy at birth

female

75.46 years (2022 est.)

male

71.98 years

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

total population

73.68 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

64.6% (2018)

male

83.3%

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

total population

73.8%

Major urban areas - population

3.893 million Casablanca, 1.959 million RABAT (capital), 1.290 million Fes, 1.314 million Tangier, 1.050 million Marrakech, 979,000 Agadir (2023)

Maternal mortality ratio

70 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Median age

female

29.6 years (2020 est.)

male

28.7 years

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

total

29.1 years

Nationality

adjective

Moroccan

noun

Moroccan(s)

Net migration rate

-1.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

26.1% (2016)

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Physicians density

0.73 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Population

36,738,229 (2022 est.)

note

note: includes Western Sahara

Population distribution

the highest population density is found along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts; a number of densely populated agglomerations are found scattered through the Atlas Mountains as shown in this population distribution map

Population growth rate

0.91% (2022 est.)

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Religions

Muslim 99% (official; virtually all Sunni, <0.1% Shia), other 1% (includes Christian, Jewish, and Baha'i); note - Jewish about 3,000-3,500 (2020 est.)

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Sanitation facility access

improved: rural

rural: 72.4% of population

improved: total

total: 88.8% of population

improved: urban

urban: 98.2% of population

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

unimproved: rural

rural: 27.6% of population

unimproved: total

total: 11.2% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 1.8% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

14 years (2021)

male

14 years

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

total

14 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.81 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

total population

1 male(s)/female (2022 est.)

Tobacco use

female

0.8% (2020 est.)

male

28.2% (2020 est.)

total

14.5% (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.29 children born/woman (2022 est.)

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Urbanization

note

note:  data does not include former Western Sahara

rate of urbanization

1.88% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

65.1% of total population (2023)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

22.8% (2016 est.)

male

22%

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

total

22.2%

Administrative divisions

12 regions; Beni Mellal-Khenifra, Casablanca-Settat, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Draa-Tafilalet, Fes-Meknes, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Safi, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, Souss-Massa, Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima

note

note: effective 10 December 2020, the US Government recognizes the sovereignty of Morocco over all of the territory of former Western Sahara

Capital

etymology

name derives from the Arabic title "Ribat el-Fath," meaning "stronghold of victory," applied to the newly constructed citadel in 1170

geographic coordinates

34 01 N, 6 49 W

name

Rabat

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

the father must be a citizen of Morocco; if the father is unknown or stateless, the mother must be a citizen

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

amendments

proposed by the king, by the prime minister, or by members in either chamber of Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by both chambers and approval in a referendum; the king can opt to submit self-initiated proposals directly to a referendum

history

several previous; latest drafted 17 June 2011, approved by referendum 1 July 2011; note - sources disagree on whether the 2011 referendum was for a new constitution or for reforms to the previous constitution

Country name

conventional long form

Kingdom of Morocco

conventional short form

Morocco

etymology

the English name "Morocco" derives from, respectively, the Spanish and Portuguese names "Marruecos" and "Marrocos," which stem from "Marrakesh" the Latin name for the former capital of ancient Morocco; the Arabic name "Al Maghrib" translates as "The West"

former

French Protectorate in Morocco, Spanish Protectorate in Morocco, Ifni, Spanish Sahara, Western Sahara

local long form

Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah

local short form

Al Maghrib

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Lawrence M. RANDOLPH (since 4 January 2021)

consulate(s) general

Casablanca

email address and website

ACSCasablanca@state.gov (US Consulate General Casablanca)https://ma.usembassy.gov/

embassy

Km 5.7 Avenue Mohammed VI, Souissi, Rabat 10170

FAX

[212] 0537-637-201

mailing address

9400 Rabat Place, Washington DC  20521-9400

telephone

[212] 0537-637-200

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

3508 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Lalla Joumala ALAOUI (since 24 April 2017)

consulate(s) general

New York

email address and website

Washingtonembbmorocco@maec.gov.mahttps://www.embassyofmorocco.us/

FAX

[1] (202) 462-7643

telephone

[1] (202) 462-7979

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers chosen by the prime minister in consultation with Parliament and appointed by the monarch; the monarch chooses the ministers of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Islamic Affairs, and National Defense Administration

chief of state

King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999)

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from the majority party following legislative elections

head of government

Prime Minister Aziz AKHANNOUCH (since 7 October 2021)

Flag description

red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian Gulf; the pentacle represents the five pillars of Islam and signifies the association between God and the nation; design dates to 1912

Government type

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Independence

2 March 1956 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, CD, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNSC (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (consists of 5-judge panels organized into civil, family matters, commercial, administrative, social, and criminal sections); Constitutional Court (consists of 12 members)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges appointed by the Superior Council of Judicial Power, a 20-member body presided over by the monarch, which includes the Supreme Court president, the prosecutor general, representatives of the appeals and first instance courts  (among them 1 woman magistrate), the president of the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), and 5 "notable persons" appointed by the monarch; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court members - 6 designated by the monarch and 6 elected by Parliament; court president appointed by the monarch from among the court members; members serve 9-year nonrenewable terms

subordinate courts

courts of appeal; High Court of Justice; administrative and commercial courts; regional and Sadad courts (for religious, civil and administrative, and penal adjudication); first instance courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil law based on French civil law and Islamic (sharia) law; judicial review of legislative acts by Constitutional Court

Legislative branch

description

bicameral Parliament consists of:House of Councillors or Majlis al-Mustacharine (120 seats; members indirectly elected by an electoral college of local councils, professional organizations, and labor unions; members serve 6-year terms)House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwab (395 seats; 305 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 90 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - 60 seats reserved for women and 30 seats for those under age 40 in regional multi-seat constituencies, with the seats divided proportionally among the 12 regions by population size of the region

election results

House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RNI 27, PAM 19, PI 17, MP 12, USFP 8, UGIM 6, CDT 3, PJD 3, UC 2, UMT 2, Amal 1, FDT 1, MDS 1, PRD 1, independent 1; composition as of October 2021) men 105, women 15, percent of women 12.5% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party NA; seats by party - RNI 102, PAM 87, PI 81, USFP 34, MP 28, PPS 22, UC 18, PJD 13, MDS 5, other 5; composition as of July 2022 - men 305, women 90, percent of women 24.1%; note - overall percent of women in Parliament 21.4%

elections

House of Councillors - last held on 5 October 2021 (next to be held by 31 October 2027)House of Representatives - last held on 8 September 2021 (next to be held by 30 September 2026)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Ali Squalli HOUSSAINI/Leo MORGAN

name

"Hymne Cherifien" (Hymn of the Sharif)

note

note: music adopted 1956, lyrics adopted 1970

National heritage

selected World Heritage Site locales

Medina of Fez; Medina of Marrakesh; Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou; Historic City of Meknes; Archaeological Site of Volubilis; Medina of Tétouan (formerly known as Titawin); Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador); Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida); Historic and Modern Rabat

total World Heritage Sites

9 (all cultural)

National holiday

Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999)

National symbol(s)

pentacle symbol, lion; national colors: red, green

Political parties and leaders

Action Party or PA [Mohammed EL IDRISSI]Amal (hope) Party [Mohamed BANI]An-Nahj Ad-Dimocrati or An-Nahj or Democratic Way [Mustapha BRAHMA]Authenticity and Modernity Party or PAM [Abdellatif OUAHBI]Constitutional Union Party or UC [Mohamed SAJID]Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE]Democratic Forces Front or FFD [Mustapha BENALI]Democratic Society Party or PSD [Zhour CHAKKAFI]Green Left Party or PGV [Mohamed FARES]Istiqlal (Independence) Party or PI [Nizar BARAKA]Moroccan Liberal Party or PML [Isaac CHARIA]Moroccan Union for Democracy or UMD [Jamal MANDRI]National Democratic Party [Abdellah KADIRI]National Ittihadi Congress or CNI [Abdesalam EL AZIZ]National Rally of Independents or RNI [Aziz AKHANNOUCH]Neo-Democrats Party [Mohamed DARIF]Party of Development Reform or PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOHEN]Party of Justice and Development or PJD [Abdelilah BENKIRANE]Party of Liberty and Social Justice [Miloud MOUSSAOUI]Party of Progress and Socialism or PPS [Nabil BENABDELLAH]Popular Movement or MP [Mohand LAENSER]Renaissance and Virtue Party [Mohamed KHALIDI]Renaissance Party [Said EL GHENNIOUI]Renewal and Equity Party or PRE [Chakir ACHEHABAR]Shoura (consultation) and Istiqlal Party [Ahmed BELGHAZI]Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Driss LACHGAR]Unified Socialist Party or GSU [Nabila MOUNIB]Unity and Democracy Party [Ahmed FITRI]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

wheat, sugar beet, milk, potatoes, olives, tangerines/mandarins, tomatoes, oranges, barley, onions

Budget

expenditures

26.75 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

22.81 billion (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Credit ratings

Fitch rating

BB+ (2020)

Moody's rating

Ba1 (1999)

note

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Standard & Poors rating

BBB- (2010)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2018

-$6.758 billion (2018 est.)

Current account balance 2019

-$5.075 billion (2019 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 2018

$51.851 billion (2018 est.)

Debt - external 2019

$52.957 billion (2019 est.)

Economic overview

Morocco has capitalized on its proximity to Europe and relatively low labor costs to work towards building a diverse, open, market-oriented economy. Key sectors of the economy include agriculture, tourism, aerospace, automotive, phosphates, textiles, apparel, and subcomponents. Morocco has increased investment in its port, transportation, and industrial infrastructure to position itself as a center and broker for business throughout Africa. Industrial development strategies and infrastructure improvements - most visibly illustrated by a new port and free trade zone near Tangier - are improving Morocco's competitiveness.   In the 1980s, Morocco was a heavily indebted country before pursuing austerity measures and pro-market reforms, overseen by the IMF. Since taking the throne in 1999, King MOHAMMED VI has presided over a stable economy marked by steady growth, low inflation, and gradually falling unemployment, although poor harvests and economic difficulties in Europe contributed to an economic slowdown. To boost exports, Morocco entered into a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the US in 2006 and an Advanced Status agreement with the EU in 2008. In late 2014, Morocco eliminated subsidies for gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil, dramatically reducing outlays that weighed on the country’s budget and current account. Subsidies on butane gas and certain food products remain in place. Morocco also seeks to expand its renewable energy capacity with a goal of making renewable more than 50% of installed electricity generation capacity by 2030.   Despite Morocco's economic progress, the country suffers from high unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy, particularly in rural areas. Key economic challenges for Morocco include reforming the education system and the judiciary.

Exchange rates

Currency

Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2013

8.3798 (2013 est.)

Exchange rates 2014

9.7351 (2014 est.)

Exchange rates 2018

9.48825 (2018 est.)

Exchange rates 2019

9.657 (2019 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

9.0065 (2020 est.)

Exports

Exports 2018

$43.25 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Exports 2019

$44.05 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Exports 2020

$37.52 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Exports - commodities

cars, insulated wiring, fertilizers, phosphoric acid, clothing and apparel (2019)

Exports - partners

Spain 23%, France 19% (2019)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

37.1% (2017 est.)

government consumption

18.9% (2017 est.)

household consumption

58% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-46.6% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

28.4% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

4.2% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

14% (2017 est.)

industry

29.5% (2017 est.)

services

56.5% (2017 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$118.858 billion (2019 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 1999

39.5 (1999 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2013

39.5 (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

33.2% (2007)

lowest 10%

2.7%

Imports

Imports 2018

$55.38 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Imports 2019

$54.1 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Imports 2020

$46.26 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, cars and vehicle parts, natural gas, coal, low-voltage protection equipment (2019)

Imports - partners

Spain 19%, France 11%, China 9%, United States 7%, Germany 5%, Turkey 5%, Italy 5% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate

2.8% (2017 est.)

Industries

automotive parts, phosphate mining and processing, aerospace, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, energy, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017

0.7% (2017 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2018

2% (2018 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2019

0.2% (2019 est.)

Labor force

10.399 million (2020 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

39.1%

industry

20.3%

services

40.5% (2014 est.)

Population below poverty line

4.8% (2013 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2016

64.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Public debt 2017

65.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

note

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2018

$272.53 billion (2018 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019

$279.3 billion (2019 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020

$259.42 billion (2020 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2017

3.98% (2017 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2018

2.96% (2018 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2019

2.5% (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita

note

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2018

$7,400 (2018 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2019

$7,500 (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2020

$6,900 (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2016

$25.37 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2017

$26.27 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

20.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2018

9.65% (2018 est.)

Unemployment rate 2019

9.23% (2019 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

22.8% (2016 est.)

male

22%

note

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

total

22.2%

Carbon dioxide emissions

from coal and metallurgical coke

20.267 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas

2.099 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

37.834 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

total emissions

60.2 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Coal

consumption

9.321 million metric tons (2020 est.)

exports

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports

9.321 million metric tons (2020 est.)

production

0 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves

14 million metric tons (2019 est.)

Electricity

consumption

29,447,883,000 kWh (2019 est.)

exports

624 million kWh (2020 est.)

imports

856 million kWh (2020 est.)

installed generating capacity

14.187 million kW (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

6.703 billion kWh (2019 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2020)

Electricity generation sources

biomass and waste

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

fossil fuels

81.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity

4.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar

1.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave

0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind

13% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2019

24.59 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Natural gas

consumption

1,051,658,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

exports

0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports

950.765 million cubic meters (2019 est.)

production

105.678 million cubic meters (2019 est.)

proven reserves

1.444 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

crude oil and lease condensate exports

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves

700,000 barrels (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

307,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)

total petroleum production

0 bbl/day (2021 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

9,504 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

229,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

66,230 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

6 (2020 est.)

total

2,102,434 (2020 est.)

Broadcast media

2 TV broadcast networks with state-run Radio-Television Marocaine (RTM) operating one network and the state partially owning the other; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite dish; 3 radio broadcast networks with RTM operating one; the government-owned network includes 10 regional radio channels in addition to its national service (2019)

Communications - note

the University of al-Quarawiyyin Library in Fez is recognized as the oldest existing, continually operating library in the world, dating back to A.D. 859; among its holdings are approximately 4,000 ancient Islamic manuscripts

Internet country code

.ma

Internet users

percent of population

84% (2020 est.)

total

31,004,869 (2020 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

fixed-line teledensity is just over 6 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership is nearly 134 per 100 persons; good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links; principal switching centers are Casablanca and Rabat (2020)

general assessment

despite Morocco's economic progress, the country suffers from high unemployment and illiteracy affecting telecom market, particularly in rural areas; national network nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved rural service employs microwave radio relay; one of the most state-of-the-art markets in Africa; high mobile penetration rates in the region with low cost for broadband Internet access; improvement in LTE reach and capabilities; service providers have all successfully completed 5G proofs of concept and are currently lining up 5G equipment providers for both radio and core technology; regulatory agency expects to conduct the 5G spectrum auction in 2023; mobile Internet accounts for 93% of all Internet connections; World Bank provided funds for Morocco’s digital transformation; government supported digital education during pandemic; submarine cables and satellite provide connectivity to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Australia (2022)

international

country code - 212; landing point for the Atlas Offshore, Estepona-Tetouan, Canalink and SEA-ME-WE-3 fiber-optic telecommunications undersea cables that provide connectivity to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Australia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara (2019)

note

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

6 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions

2,357,286 (2020 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

134 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions

49,421,023 (2020 est.)

Airports

total

62 (2021)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

6

2,438 to 3,047 m

12

914 to 1,523 m

4

over 3,047 m

13

total

36

under 914 m

1 (2021)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

6

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

12

total

26

under 914 m

6 (2021)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

CN

Heliports

1 (2021)

Merchant marine

by type

container ship 6, general cargo 5, oil tanker 2, other 80 (2021)

total

93

National air transport system

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

97.71 million (2018) mt-km

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

8,132,917 (2018)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

76

number of registered air carriers

3 (2020)

Pipelines

944 km gas, 270 km oil, 175 km refined products (2013)

Ports and terminals

container port(s) (TEUs)

Tangier (4,801,713) (2019)

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Jorf Lasfar (planned)

major seaport(s)

Ad Dakhla, Agadir, Casablanca, Jorf Lasfar, Laayoune (El Aaiun), Mohammedia, Safi, Tangier

Railways

standard gauge

2,067 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (1,022 km electrified)

total

2,067 km (2014)

Roadways

total

57,300 km (2018)

Military - note

Moroccan military forces were engaged in combat operations against the Polisario Front (aka Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguia el-Hamra y de Río de Oro or Frente Polisario) from 1975 until a UN-brokered cease-fire in 1991; a 2,500-kilometer long sand berm, built in 1987, separates the forces of Morocco and the Polisario Frontthe UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was established by Security Council resolution 690 in April 1991 in accordance with settlement proposals accepted in August 1988 by Morocco and the Polisario Front; MINURSO was unable to carry out all the original settlement proposals, but as of 2022 continued to monitor the cease-fire and reduce the threat of mines and unexploded ordnance, and has provided logistic support to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)-led confidence building measures with personnel and air and ground assetsMorocco has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US; MNNA is a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation; while MNNA status provides military and economic privileges, it does not entail any security commitments (2022)

Military and security forces

Royal Armed Forces: Royal Moroccan Army (includes the Moroccan Royal Guard), Royal Moroccan Navy (includes Coast Guard, marines), Royal Moroccan Air Force; Ministry of Defense (aka Administration of National Defense): Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie; Ministry of Interior: National Police, Auxiliary Forces (2022)

note

note 1: the National Police manages internal law enforcement in cities; the Royal Gendarmerie is responsible for law enforcement in rural regions and on national highwaysnote 2: the Auxiliary Forces provide support to the Gendarmerie and National Police; it includes a Mobile Intervention Corps, a motorized paramilitary security force that supplements the military and the police as needednote 3: the Moroccan Royal Guard was established in the 11th century and is considered one of the world's oldest active units still in military service  

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 200,000 active personnel (175,000 Army; 10,000 Navy; 15,000 Air Force); estimated 20,000 Gendarmerie; estimated 5,000 Mobile Intervention Corps (2022)

Military deployments

775 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 925 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) (May 2022)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Moroccan military's inventory is comprised of mostly older French and US equipment; since 2010, it has received equipment from about a dozen countries with France and the US as the leading suppliers (2021)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2017

3.4% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $7.08 billion)

Military Expenditures 2018

3.3% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $7.12 billion)

Military Expenditures 2019

3.4% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $7.46 billion)

Military Expenditures 2020

4.5% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

4.5% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military service age and obligation

19-25 years of age for 12-month compulsory and voluntary military service for men and women (conscription abolished 2006 and reintroduced in 2019) (2022)

Disputes - international

Morocco-Algeria: Algeria's border with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling Morocco-Mauritania: tensions arose in 2016 when Mauritanian soldiers were deployed to Lagouira, a city in the southernmost part of Morocco, and raised their flag Morocco-Spain: Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; both countries claim Isla Perejil (Leila Island); discussions have not progressed on a comprehensive maritime delimitation, setting limits on resource exploration and refugee interdiction, since Morocco's 2002 rejection of Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands; Morocco serves as one of the primary launching areas of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa

Illicit drugs

one of the world’s largest cannabis-producing countries with Europe as the main  market; hashish is also smuggled to South America and the Caribbean where it is exchanged for cocaine which is distributed in Europe; MDMA (ecstasy), originating in Belgium and the Netherlands is smuggled into northern Morocco for sale on the domestic market

Terrorist group(s)

Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

note

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions

61.28 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

17.16 megatons (2020 est.)

note

note:  data does not include former Western Sahara

particulate matter emissions

30.99 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

Climate

Mediterranean in the north, becoming more extreme in the interior; in the south, hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew

note

note:  data does not include former Western Sahara

Environment - current issues

in the north, land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water and soil pollution due to dumping of industrial wastes into the ocean and inland water sources, and onto the land; in the south, desertification; overgrazing; sparse water and lack of arable land

note

note:  data does not include former Western Sahara

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

Environmental Modification

Land use

agricultural land

67.5% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 17.5% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 2.9% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 47.1% (2018 est.)

forest

11.5% (2018 est.)

note

note: does not include the area of the former Western Sahara, which is almost exclusively desert

other

21% (2018 est.)

Major rivers (by length in km)

Draa - 1,100 km

Revenue from coal

coal revenues

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

forest revenues

0.13% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources

29 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

note

note:  data does not include former Western Sahara

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

9.156 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial

212 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

municipal

1.063 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

note

note:  data does not include former Western Sahara

Urbanization

note

note:  data does not include former Western Sahara

rate of urbanization

1.88% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

65.1% of total population (2023)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

6.852 million tons (2014 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually

548,160 tons (2014 est.)

note

note:  data does not include former Western Sahara

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

8% (2014 est.)