Morocco

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.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

28 30 N, 10 00 W

Map references

Africa

Area

total : 716,550 sq km

land: 716,300 sq km

water: 250 sq km

comparison ranking: total 41

Area – comparative

slightly larger than twice the size of California

Land boundaries

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

Coastline

2,945 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

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: data does not include former Western Sahara

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

Elevation

highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m

lowest point: Sebkha Tah -59 m

mean elevation: 909 m

Natural resources

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

Land use

agricultural land: 67.9% (2022 est.)

arable land: 16.8% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 4% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 47.1% (2022 est.)

forest: 12.9% (2022 est.)

other: 19.2% (2022 est.)

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

Irrigated land

17,645 sq km (2019)

Major rivers (by length in km)

Draa – 1,100 km

Population distribution

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

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

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

People and Society

Population

total: 37,387,585 (2024 est.)

male: 18,664,263

female: 18,723,322

comparison rankings: total 39; female 40; male 39

Nationality

noun: Moroccan(s)

adjective: Moroccan

Ethnic groups

Arab-Amazigh 99%, other 1%

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Languages

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

Arabic audio sample:

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: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Age structure

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)

2024 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 51.7 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 38.9 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 12.7 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 7.8 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 30.6 years (2024 est.)

male: 30.1 years

female: 31 years

comparison ranking: total 135

Population growth rate

0.84% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 108

Birth rate

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

comparison ranking: 92

Death rate

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

comparison ranking: 131

Net migration rate

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

comparison ranking: 163

Population distribution

Urbanization

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

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)

Sex ratio

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.)

Maternal mortality ratio

72 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

comparison ranking: 83

Infant mortality rate

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

comparison ranking: total 84

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.2 years (2024 est.)

male: 72.5 years

female: 76 years

comparison ranking: total population 145

Total fertility rate

2.25 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 80

Gross reproduction rate

1.1 (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

70.8% (2018)

Drinking water source

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.)

Health expenditure

5.7% of GDP (2021)

6.8% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

0.74 physicians/1,000 population (2021)

Hospital bed density

0.7 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Sanitation facility access

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

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

26.1% (2016)

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

comparison ranking: 44

Alcohol consumption per capita

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.)

comparison ranking: total 163

Tobacco use

total: 12.3% (2025 est.)

male: 23.7% (2025 est.)

female: 0.9% (2025 est.)

comparison ranking: total 111

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2.8% (2019/20)

comparison ranking: 84

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

58.8% (2023 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15: 0.5% (2018)

women married by age 18: 13.7% (2018)

Education expenditure

6% of GDP (2023 est.)

23.3% national budget (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 32

Literacy

total population: 75.9%

male: 84.8%

female: 67.4% (2021)

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years

male: 14 years

female: 14 years (2021)

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Environment

Environment – current issues

in the north: land degradation and desertification, with soil erosion from farming, overgrazing, and vegetation removal; water and soil pollution from industrial-waste dumping; in the south: desertification; overgrazing; sparse water

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

Climate

Land use

Urbanization

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

Air pollutants

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

Waste and recycling

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

Major rivers (by length in km)

Draa – 1,100 km

Total water withdrawal

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

Total renewable water resources

29 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

note: data does not include former Western Sahara

Geoparks

total global geoparks and regional networks: 1

global geoparks and regional networks: M’Goun (2023)

Government

Country name

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 of 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”

Government type

parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Capital

name: Rabat

geographic coordinates: 34 01 N, 6 49 W

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

etymology: derives from the Arabic name Ribat el-Fath, from the words ribat (fortified monastery) and fath (conquest); the third Almohad sultan, Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Manṣur, gave the name to a fort on the site in the 12th century

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: effective 10 December 2020, the US government recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory of former Western Sahara

Legal system

mixed system of civil law based on French civil law and Islamic (sharia) law; Constitutional Court reviews legislative acts

Constitution

history: several previous; latest drafted 17 June 2011, approved by referendum 1 July 2011

amendment process: 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

International law organization participation

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

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

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

election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; monarch appoints the prime minister from the majority party following legislative elections

Legislative branch

legislature name: Parliament (Barlaman)

legislative structure: bicameral

Legislative branch – lower chamber

chamber name: House of Representatives (Majliss-annouwab)

number of seats: 395 (all directly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 9/8/2021

parties elected and seats per party: National Rally of Independents (RNI) (102); Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) (87); Istiqlal Party (PI) (81); Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP) (34); Popular Movement (MP) (28); Progress and Socialism Party (PPS) (22); Other (41)

percentage of women in chamber: 24.3%

expected date of next election: September 2026

Legislative branch – upper chamber

chamber name: House of Councillors (Majlis al-Mustacharin)

number of seats: 120 (all indirectly elected)

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 6 years

most recent election date: 10/5/2021

percentage of women in chamber: 11.7%

expected date of next election: October 2027

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

Political parties

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

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:
[email protected]

Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in the United States (diplomatie.ma)

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Aimee CUTRONA (since January 2025)

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

International organization participation

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

Independence

2 March 1956 (from France)

National holiday

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

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; the design dates to 1912

National symbol(s)

pentacle symbol, lion

National color(s)

red, green

National anthem

name: “Hymne Cherifien” (Hymn of the Sharif)

lyrics/music: Ali Squalli HOUSSAINI/Leo MORGAN

note: music adopted 1956, lyrics adopted 1970

National heritage

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 Tétouan (formerly known as Titawin); Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador); Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida); Historic and Modern Rabat

Economy

Economic overview

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$339.603 billion (2023 est.)
$328.425 billion (2022 est.)
$323.485 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 58

Real GDP growth rate

3.4% (2023 est.)
1.53% (2022 est.)
8.02% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 99

Real GDP per capita

$8,900 (2023 est.)
$8,700 (2022 est.)
$8,600 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 153

GDP (official exchange rate)

$144.417 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1% (2024 est.)
6.1% (2023 est.)
6.7% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 23

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 11.1% (2023 est.)

industry: 24.6% (2023 est.)

services: 54.3% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

comparison rankings: services 127; industry 97; agriculture 72

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 61.4% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 18.1% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 25.4% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 3.4% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 42.8% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -51% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

wheat, milk, potatoes, sugar beets, tomatoes, barley, olives, apples, tangerines/mandarins, onions (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

1.34% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 121

Labor force

12.475 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

comparison ranking: 48

Unemployment rate

8.9% (2024 est.)
9% (2023 est.)
9.5% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 152

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 22.1% (2024 est.)

male: 22% (2024 est.)

female: 22.4% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

comparison ranking: total 54

Average household expenditures

on food: 34.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco: 2.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Remittances

8.14% of GDP (2023 est.)
8.53% of GDP (2022 est.)
7.68% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

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

Public debt

65.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

comparison ranking: 63

Taxes and other revenues

21% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 78

Current account balance

-$891.222 million (2023 est.)
-$4.8 billion (2022 est.)
-$3.349 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

comparison ranking: 137

Exports

$61.746 billion (2023 est.)
$58.575 billion (2022 est.)
$47.09 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 60

Exports – partners

Spain 20%, France 17%, Germany 6%, UK 5%, Italy 4% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports – commodities

fertilizers, cars, garments, insulated wire, tomatoes (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

$73.759 billion (2023 est.)
$73.81 billion (2022 est.)
$60.215 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 53

Imports – partners

Spain 16%, China 11%, France 10%, USA 9%, Turkey 5% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports – commodities

refined petroleum, cars, vehicle parts/accessories, natural gas, coal (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$35.269 billion (2024 est.)
$36.328 billion (2023 est.)
$32.314 billion (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

comparison ranking: 49

Debt – external

$42.262 billion (2023 est.)

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

comparison ranking: 18

Exchange rates

Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar –

Exchange rates:
9.942 (2024 est.)
10.131 (2023 est.)
10.161 (2022 est.)
8.988 (2021 est.)
9.497 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

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

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 14.615 million kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 36.379 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports: 462 million kWh (2023 est.)

imports: 2.311 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 7.781 billion kWh (2023 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 174; imports 64; exports 77; consumption 61; installed generating capacity 56

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 78.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind: 15.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

consumption: 10.304 million metric tons (2023 est.)

exports: 25 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports: 10.344 million metric tons (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 96 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 25 bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 296,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 684,000 barrels (2021 est.)

Natural gas

production: 55.473 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

consumption: 912.277 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports: 861.38 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 1.444 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

64.173 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 23.024 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 39.329 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 1.82 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 50

Energy consumption per capita

23.52 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 127

Communications

Telephones – fixed lines

total subscriptions: 2.874 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 38

Telephones – mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 55.9 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 137 (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 31

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 is available via satellite dish; 3 radio broadcast networks, with RTM operating one; the state-owned network includes 10 regional radio channels in addition to its national service (2019)

Internet country code

.ma

Internet users

percent of population: 91% (2023 est.)

Broadband – fixed subscriptions

total: 2.42 million (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total 57

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

48 (2025)

comparison ranking: 91

Heliports

17 (2025)

comparison ranking: 57

Railways

total: 2,067 km (2014)

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

Merchant marine

total: 94 (2023)

by type: container ship 6, general cargo 5, oil tanker 2, other 81

comparison ranking: total 94

Ports

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

Military and Security

Military and security forces

Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR): Royal Moroccan Army (includes the Moroccan Royal Guard), Royal Moroccan Navy (includes Coast Guard, marines), Royal Moroccan Air Force, Moroccan Royal Guard, Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie

Ministry of Interior: General Directorate for National Security (DGSN; aka National Police), Auxiliary Forces (2025)

note 1: the Royal Guard is officially part of the 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 DGSN manages internal law enforcement in cities; the Gendarmerie is responsible for law enforcement in rural regions and on national highways and has a counterterrorism role; the Auxiliary Forces provide support to the Gendarmerie and DGSN

Military expenditures

4% of GDP (2024 est.)
4% of GDP (2023 est.)
4.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
4.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
4.5% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

estimated 220,000 active Armed Forces (175,000 Army; 10,000 Navy; 15,000 Air Force, 20,000 Gendarmerie) (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

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)

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) (2023)

Military deployments

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

Military – note

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)

Terrorism

Terrorist group(s)

Terrorist group(s): 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

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons

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

Illicit drugs

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