Factbook dossier
Background
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 implementi…
Location
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Mauritania
Area
total : 716,550 sq km land: 716,300 sq km water: 250 sq km
Natural resources
phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt
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
Population
total: 37,387,585 (2024 est.) male: 18,664,263 female: 18,723,322
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
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
Environmental 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
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
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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$350.594 billion (2024 est.) $339.603 billion (2023 est.) $328.425 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$9,100 (2024 est.) $8,900 (2023 est.) $8,700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1% (2024 est.) 6.1% (2023 est.) 6.7% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
Spain 20%, France 17%, Germany 6%, UK 5%, Italy 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
Spain 16%, China 11%, France 10%, USA 9%, Turkey 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
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.)