Morocco

total: 2,102,434 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2020 est.)

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)

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

.ma

total: 32.56 million (2021 est.) percent of population: 88% (2021 est.)

general assessment: 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) domestic: fixed-line teledensity is 7 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership is 139 per 100 persons (2021) 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)

total subscriptions: 2.645 million (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2021 est.)

total subscriptions: 52.959 million (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 137 (2021 est.)

wheat, milk, olives, sugar beets, potatoes, tomatoes, tangerines/mandarins, oranges, apples, onions (2022) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

on food: 33.9% of household expenditures (2022 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 1.4% of household expenditures (2022 est.)

revenues: $35.356 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $36.939 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Fitch rating: BB+ (2020) Moody's rating: Ba1 (1999) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2010) note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

-$4.775 billion (2022 est.) -$3.349 billion (2021 est.) -$1.368 billion (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$36.29 billion (2022 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

lower middle-income North African economy; ongoing recovery from recent drought and earthquake; rebounding via tourism, manufacturing, and raw materials processing; significant trade and investment with EU; reform programs include fiscal rebalancing, state enterprise governance and private sector investments

Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar - 10.131 (2023 est.) 10.161 (2022 est.) 8.988 (2021 est.) 9.497 (2020 est.) 9.617 (2019 est.)

$58.556 billion (2022 est.) $47.09 billion (2021 est.) $37.545 billion (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

fertilizers, cars, garments, insulated wire, phosphoric acid (2022) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Spain 18%, France 17%, India 6%, Italy 5%, Brazil 4% (2022) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

$141.109 billion (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

household consumption: 61.6% (2023 est.) government consumption: 18.7% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 27% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: 1% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 44% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -52.3% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

agriculture: 12% (2023 est.) industry: 23.8% (2023 est.) services: 53.9% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

$73.783 billion (2022 est.) $60.215 billion (2021 est.) $46.358 billion (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

refined petroleum, wheat, natural gas, coal, vehicle parts/accessories (2022) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Spain 18%, France 10%, China 10%, US 6%, Saudi Arabia 6% (2022) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

0.96% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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

6.09% (2023 est.) 6.66% (2022 est.) 1.4% (2021 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices

12.284 million (2023 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

65.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

$337.48 billion (2023 est.) $327.085 billion (2022 est.) $323.02 billion (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

3.18% (2023 est.) 1.26% (2022 est.) 8.02% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

$8,800 (2023 est.) $8,600 (2022 est.) $8,600 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

8.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 8.53% of GDP (2022 est.) 7.69% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

$36.328 billion (2023 est.) $32.314 billion (2022 est.) $35.648 billion (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

22.12% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

9.11% (2023 est.) 9.53% (2022 est.) 10.54% (2021 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment

total: 22.6% (2023 est.) male: 22.5% (2023 est.) female: 23% (2023 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

67.688 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 27.475 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 39.727 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.) from consumed natural gas: 485,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

consumption: 11.94 million metric tons (2022 est.) exports: 12.8 metric tons (2022 est.) imports: 11.772 million metric tons (2022 est.) proven reserves: 96 million metric tons (2022 est.)

installed generating capacity: 14.237 million kW (2022 est.) consumption: 35.278 billion kWh (2022 est.) exports: 471 million kWh (2022 est.) imports: 1.868 billion kWh (2022 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 7.366 billion kWh (2022 est.)

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

fossil fuels: 82.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) solar: 3.5% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) wind: 13% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) hydroelectricity: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2022 est.) biomass and waste: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

24.936 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

production: 82.595 million cubic meters (2022 est.) consumption: 243.201 million cubic meters (2022 est.) imports: 162.157 million cubic meters (2022 est.) proven reserves: 1.444 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

total petroleum production: 25 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 318,000 bbl/day (2022 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 684,000 barrels (2021 est.)

particulate matter emissions: 13.44 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 61.28 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 17.16 megatons (2020 est.) note: data does not include former Western Sahara

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: data does not include former Western Sahara

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: data does not include former Western Sahara

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

total global geoparks and regional networks: 1 global geoparks and regional networks: M'Goun (2023)

agricultural land: 67.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 17.5% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 47.1% (2018 est.) forest: 11.5% (2018 est.) other: 21% (2018 est.) note: does not include the area of the former Western Sahara, which is almost exclusively desert

Draa - 1,100 km

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

0.13% of GDP (2018 est.)

29 billion cubic meters (2020 est.) note: data does not include former Western Sahara

municipal: 1.06 billion cubic meters (2020 est.) industrial: 210 million cubic meters (2020 est.) agricultural: 9.16 billion cubic meters (2020 est.) note: data does not include former Western Sahara

urban population: 65.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.88% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data does not include former Western Sahara

municipal solid waste generated annually: 6.852 million tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 548,160 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8% (2014 est.) note: data does not include former Western Sahara

total : 716,550 sq km land: 716,300 sq km water: 250 sq km

slightly larger than twice the size of California

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: data does not include former Western Sahara

2,945 km

highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m lowest point: Sebkha Tah -59 m mean elevation: 909 m

28 30 N, 10 00 W

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

17,645 sq km (2019)

total: 3,523.5 km border countries (3): Algeria 1,941 km; Mauritania 1,564 km; Spain (Ceuta) 8 km and Spain (Melilla) 10.5 km note: an additional 75-meter border segment exists between Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Penon de Velez de la Gomera

agricultural land: 67.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 17.5% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 47.1% (2018 est.) forest: 11.5% (2018 est.) other: 21% (2018 est.) note: does not include the area of the former Western Sahara, which is almost exclusively desert

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

Draa - 1,100 km

Africa

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

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

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

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

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

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

name: Rabat geographic coordinates: 34 01 N, 6 49 W time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: name derives from the Arabic title "Ribat el-Fath," meaning "stronghold of victory," applied to the newly constructed citadel in 1170

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

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 existing 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

conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco conventional short form: Morocco local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah local short form: Al Maghrib former: French Protectorate in Morocco, Spanish Protectorate in Morocco, Ifni, Spanish Sahara, Western Sahara 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"

chief of mission: Ambassador Puneet TALWAR (since 4 October 2023) embassy: Km 5.7 Avenue Mohammed VI, Souissi, Rabat 10170 mailing address: 9400 Rabat Place, Washington DC 20521-9400 telephone: [212] 0537-637-200 FAX: [212] 0537-637-201 email address and website: https://ma.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Casablanca

chief of mission: Ambassador Youssef AMRANI (since 27 February 2024) chancery: 3508 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979 FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161 email address and website: washingtonembmorocco@maec.gov.ma Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in the United States (diplomatie.ma) consulate(s) general: New York

chief of state: King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Aziz AKHANNOUCH (since 7 October 2021) 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 elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from the majority party following legislative elections

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

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

2 March 1956 (from France)

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

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AIIB, 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, UNOOSA, UNSC (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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

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

description: bicameral Parliament consists of: House of Councilors 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 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) 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 - men 106, women 14, percentage women 11.7% 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 - men 299, women 96, percentage women 24.3%; total Parliament percentage women 21.4%

name: "Hymne Cherifien" (Hymn of the Sharif) lyrics/music: Ali Squalli HOUSSAINI/Leo MORGAN note: music adopted 1956, lyrics adopted 1970

total World Heritage Sites: 9 (all cultural) 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 T touan (formerly known as Titawin); Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador); Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida); Historic and Modern Rabat

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

pentacle symbol, lion; national colors: red, green

Action Party or PA Amal (hope) Party An-Nahj Ad-Dimocrati or An-Nahj or Democratic Way Authenticity and Modernity Party or PAM Constitutional Union Party or UC Democratic and Social Movement or MDS Democratic Forces Front or FFD Environment and Sustainable Development Party or PEDD Federation of the Democratic Left or FGD Green Left Party or PGV Istiqlal (Independence) Party or PI Moroccan Liberal Party or PML Moroccan Union for Democracy or UMD National Democratic Party National Rally of Independents or RNI Neo-Democrats Party Party of Development Reform or PRD Party of Justice and Development or PJD Party of Liberty and Social Justice or PLJS Party of Progress and Socialism or PPS Popular Movement or MP Renaissance and Virtue Party or PRV Renaissance Party Renewal and Equity Party or PRE Shoura (consultation) and Istiqlal Party Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP Unified Socialist Party or GSU Unity and Democracy Party

18 years of age; universal

In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, a series of 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, which broke down in late 2020, between Morocco and the Polisario Front -- an organization advocating the territory s independence -- and restarted negotiations over the status of the territory in 2018. In 2020, the US recognized Morocco's sovereignty over all of Western Sahara. In 2011, King MOHAMMED VI 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, under which some new powers were extended to parliament and the prime minister, but ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch. Later that year, the Justice and Development Party (PJD) -- a moderate Islamist democratic party -- won the largest number of seats in parliamentary elections, becoming the first Islamist party to lead the Moroccan Government. In 2015, Morocco held its first direct elections for regional councils, which was one of the reforms included in the 2011 constitution. The PJD again won the largest number of seats in nationwide parliamentary elections in 2016, but it lost its plurality to the probusiness National Rally of Independents (RNI) in 2021. In 2020, Morocco signed a normalization agreement with Israel, similar to those that Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Sudan had concluded with Israel earlier that year.

the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) are responsible for protecting Morocco s national interests, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; key areas of concern for the FAR include regional challenges such as the Polisario Front in Western Sahara and Algeria; Morocco claims the territory of Western Sahara and administers the territory that it controls; the Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), an organization that seeks the territory s independence, disputes Morocco s claim of sovereignty over the territory; Moroccan and Polisario forces fought intermittently from 1975, when Spain relinquished colonial authority over the territory, until a 1991 cease-fire and the establishment of a UN peacekeeping mission; the Polisario withdrew from the cease-fire in November 2020, and since then there have been reports of intermittent indirect fire between the FAR and Polisario fighters across the 2,500-kilometer-long berm built in 1987 that separates the two sides; Algeria is seen as a regional rival and has openly backed the Polisario Front the FAR has experience in counterinsurgency, desert warfare, and international peacekeeping and security operations; it participates in both bilateral and multinational exercises and has relations with a variety of partners including the militaries of France, Spain, and the US, as well as NATO, the Arab League, and the African Union; the FAR provided fighter aircraft to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen from 2015-2019; Morocco has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation the FAR was created in May 1956; large numbers of Moroccans were recruited for service in the Spahi and Tirailleur regiments of the French Army of Africa during the period of the French protectorate (1912-1956); many Moroccans fought under the French Army during both World Wars; after World War II, Moroccans formed part of the French Far East Expeditionary Corps during the First Indochina War (1946-1954); the Spanish Army recruited Moroccans from the Spanish Protectorate during both the Rif War (1921-26) and the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) the 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 continues 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) with personnel and air and ground assets (2024)

Royal Armed Forces (FAR): Royal Moroccan Army (includes the Moroccan Royal Guard), Royal Moroccan Navy (includes Coast Guard, marines), Royal Moroccan Air Force, Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie Ministry of Interior: National Police (DGSN), Auxiliary Forces (2024) note 1: the Moroccan Royal Guard is officially part of the Royal Moroccan Army, but is under the direct operational control of the Royal Military Household of His Majesty the King; it provides for the security and safety of the King and royal family; it was established in the 11th century and is considered one of the world's oldest active units still in military service note 2: the National Police manage internal law enforcement in cities; the Royal Gendarmerie (Administration of National Defense) is responsible for law enforcement in rural regions and on national highways; the Gendarmerie operates mobile and fixed checkpoints along the roads in border areas and at the entrances to major municipalities; it also has a counterterrorism role; the Auxiliary Forces provide support to the Gendarmerie and National Police and includes a Mobile Intervention Corps, a motorized paramilitary security force that supplements the military and the police as needed

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; estimated 25-30,000 Auxiliary Forces (2023)

770 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 930 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) (2024)

the Moroccan military's inventory is comprised of mostly older French and US equipment, although in recent years it has embarked on a modernization program and received quantities of more modern equipment from a variety of countries, particularly France, Spain, and the US (2024)

4% of GDP (2023 est.) 4.5% of GDP (2022 est.) 4.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 4.5% of GDP (2020 est.) 3.4% of GDP (2019 est.)

19-25 years of age for 12-month compulsory and voluntary military service for men and women (conscription abolished 2006 and reintroduced in 2019) (2023)

0-14 years: 25.7% (male 4,898,154/female 4,701,786) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 12,236,752/female 12,410,567) 65 years and over: 8.4% (2024 est.) (male 1,529,357/female 1,610,969)

total: 0.51 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.18 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.24 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

16.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

women married by age 15: 0.5% women married by age 18: 13.7% (2018 est.)

2.8% (2019/20) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

70.8% (2018) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

6% of GDP (2020) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

58.8% (2023 est.)

6.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

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.

total dependency ratio: 52.2 youth dependency ratio: 40.9 elderly dependency ratio: 11.3 potential support ratio: 8.9 (2021 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

improved: urban: 98.3% of population rural: 79.1% of population total: 91% of population unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population rural: 20.9% of population total: 9% of population (2017 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

6.8% of GDP (2020) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Arab-Amazigh 99%, other 1% note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

1.1 (2024 est.)

1 beds/1,000 population (2017) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

total: 18.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.) male: 20.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16 deaths/1,000 live births

Arabic (official), Tamazight languages (Tamazight (official), Tachelhit, Tarifit), French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy) major-language sample(s): كتاب ديال لحقائق متاع العالم، احسن مصدر متاع المعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: the proportion of Tamazight speakers is disputed

total population: 74.2 years (2024 est.) male: 72.5 years female: 76 years

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 75.9% male: 84.8% female: 67.4% (2021) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

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)

72 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

total: 30.6 years (2024 est.) male: 30.1 years female: 31 years

noun: Moroccan(s) adjective: Moroccan

-1.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

26.1% (2016) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

0.73 physicians/1,000 population (2017) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

total: 37,387,585 male: 18,664,263 female: 18,723,322 (2024 est.)

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

0.84% (2024 est.)

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: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

improved: urban: 98.2% of population rural: 72.4% of population total: 88.8% of population unimproved: urban: 1.8% of population rural: 27.6% of population total: 11.2% of population (2020 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2021) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

total: 14.5% (2020 est.) male: 28.2% (2020 est.) female: 0.8% (2020 est.)

2.25 children born/woman (2024 est.)

urban population: 65.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.88% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data does not include former Western Sahara

Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) 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 the Terrorism reference guide

one of the world s largest cannabis-producing country with Europe as the main market; hashish is 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

refugees (country of origin): 5,250 (Syria) (mid-year 2022)

49 (2024)

CN

17 (2024)

total: 94 (2023) by type: container ship 6, general cargo 5, oil tanker 2, other 81

number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 76 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 8,132,917 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 97.71 million (2018) mt-km

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

total ports: 12 (2024) large: 3 medium: 1 small: 3 very small: 5 ports with oil terminals: 2 key ports: Agadir, Casablanca, Tanger, Tangier-Mediterranean

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

total: 57,300 km (2018)