Contents

Country Overview

Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a North African constitutional monarchy bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, with Rabat as its capital and Casablanca as its largest city. It has a long history of Amazigh societies, Islamic dynasties and connections across the Sahara, the Mediterranean and Atlantic trade routes. Modern independence from French and Spanish protectorate arrangements was achieved in stages in 1956, while its current constitutional framework dates to 2011. King Mohammed VI is head of state; Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri became head of government after the September 2026 legislative election, with a new cabinet appointed on October 16. Morocco exercises administration over much of Western Sahara, whose sovereignty remains disputed and which the United Nations classifies separately as a Non-Self-Governing Territory. [5] [6] [13]

Reference status: Contemporary edition • Verified: November 5, 2026 • Figures retain their source years; territorial and population scopes are distinguished throughout.

CapitalRabatAdministrative and political capital
Population38.43 million2025 World Bank estimate [2]
Reference area446,550 km²UN area excluding Western Sahara [4]
Nominal GDPUS$182.37 billion2025 World Bank [2]
GDP per capitaUS$4,672.52025 World Bank series [2]
CurrencyMoroccan dirhamMAD (DH)

Data comparability: Morocco's 2024 national census counted 36,828,330 residents, while HCP projected 37,009,918 for mid-2025 and the World Bank estimated 38,430,770 for 2025. These are different estimates and reference populations; they should not be blended into a single time series without reconciliation. The United Nations' 446,550 km² area excludes the separately classified Western Sahara; some Moroccan statistical tables include Western Sahara regions under national administrative reporting. [1] [3] [2] [4] [13]

Identity and State Formation

Official name
Kingdom of Morocco (Al-Mamlaka al-Maghribiyya; ⵜⴰⴳⵍⴷⵉⵜ ⵏ ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ).
Common name
Morocco; Al-Maghrib in Arabic; Maroc in French.
Demonym
Moroccan.
Capital
Rabat, on the Atlantic coast.
Largest city
Casablanca; size depends on city, commune and metropolitan-area boundaries.
Major cities
Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Marrakesh, Tangier, Meknes, Agadir, Oujda and Kenitra.
Continent / UN subregion
Africa / Northern Africa. [21]
Historical political roots
Amazigh societies and kingdoms; the Idrisid dynasty emerged in the late eighth century, followed by Almoravid, Almohad, Marinid, Saadian and Alaouite rulers. A single founding date does not encompass this history.
Present ruling dynasty
Alaouite (Alawi) dynasty, whose political ascendancy dates to the seventeenth century.
French protectorate established
March 30, 1912, by the Treaty of Fes; Spanish protectorate arrangements developed in separate northern and southern zones.
Independence from France
March 2, 1956, recognized in an agreement ending the French protectorate.
Independence from Spain
April 7, 1956, an agreement terminated the main Spanish protectorate in northern Morocco; subsequent territorial questions continued.
Independence Day
November 18, marking the restored sovereignty associated with Mohammed V; distinct from the March and April 1956 diplomatic agreements.
Constitutional referendum
July 1, 2011; the 2011 Constitution was promulgated in July. [5]
Present monarch
King Mohammed VI, who acceded to the throne in July 1999. [6]
Recent government transition
Following the September 23, 2026 parliamentary election, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri was appointed head of government on September 29; the new cabinet was appointed October 16, 2026. [6] [7]
Official state languages
Arabic and Amazigh (Tamazight), as specified by Article 5 of the 2011 Constitution. [5]
Official national motto
God, the Homeland, the King (Allah, al-Watan, al-Malik), specified by Article 4. [5]
National flag
Red field with a green five-pointed interlaced star (pentagram), per Article 4. [5]
ISO 3166-1 codes
MA (alpha-2); MAR (alpha-3); 504 (numeric).
Internet country-code domain
.ma.
International dialing code
+212.
Standard time
UTC+1 for most of the year, with a temporary move to UTC+0 during Ramadan under the current practice; official schedules can vary.

Historical context: Moroccan state formation predates European colonial rule by many centuries. The independence process of 1956 ended protectorate governance but did not resolve every territorial question, including Western Sahara. The modern state’s legal order and political institutions are described under the 2011 Constitution. [5] [13]

Geography and Population

Total surface area used for UN comparison
446,550 km² (172,414 sq. mi. approximately), excluding Western Sahara. [4]
Land versus territorial scope
The UN-referenced Moroccan area does not include Western Sahara; Morocco claims and administers most of the latter, and some national maps or datasets show a larger combined area. [13] [4]
Western Sahara area
Approximately 266,000 km² according to the United Nations; shown separately rather than added uncritically to Morocco’s area. [13]
National census population
36,828,330 residents recorded in the September 1, 2024 census. [1]
World Bank population estimate
38,430,770 residents in 2025. [2]
HCP 2025 population projection
37,009,918 at midyear 2025, based on HCP’s post-census projection model. [3]
HCP 2026 population projection
37,254,695 at midyear 2026 (projection, not a new census). [3]
2024 census households
9,275,038 households recorded nationally. [1]
2024 population growth trend
Average annual census population growth was 0.85% between 2014 and 2024. [1]
Urban population share
62.8% in the 2024 national census; the urban/rural distinction follows national administrative definitions. [1]
Population density
Approximately 86 people per km² on a simple World Bank 2025 population divided by the 446,550 km² UN area; this is a calculated comparison, not an official census density. [2] [4]
Coasts
Atlantic Ocean to the west and Mediterranean Sea to the north; the Strait of Gibraltar separates North Africa from southern Europe.
Neighboring states and territories
Algeria on the eastern frontier; Spain administers Ceuta and Melilla along the Mediterranean coast. The southern connection toward Mauritania passes through disputed Western Sahara. [13]
Physical geography
Rif Mountains, Middle Atlas, High Atlas, Anti-Atlas, Atlantic lowlands, interior plateaus and arid Saharan environments.
Highest peak
Jbel Toubkal, approximately 4,167 meters above sea level in the High Atlas.
Main rivers and water systems
Sebou, Moulouya, Oum Er-Rbia, Tensift and Draa; dams and groundwater supplies are important to irrigation and domestic water.
Climate
Mediterranean and Atlantic coastal influences in the north and west; continental mountain climates, semi-arid interiors and Saharan aridity farther south.
Environmental priorities
Drought, water scarcity, aquifer pressure, land degradation, climate resilience and renewable-energy development. [17]
Territorial status of Western Sahara
The territory remains on the UN list of Non-Self-Governing Territories; Morocco’s sovereignty claims are contested by the Polisario Front and remain unresolved through the UN political process. [13] [14]
Geographic classification
Northern Africa under UN M49; the UN classification is not a legal determination on sovereignty. [21]

Territorial and statistical interpretation: National administrative reporting, UN territorial classification and World Bank demographic modeling may apply different geographic or methodological conventions. This profile does not treat the political status of Western Sahara as settled. [1] [4] [13] [2]

Economy and International Trade

Economic classification
Diversified, market-oriented mixed economy with a large service sector and significant manufacturing, agriculture, tourism and logistics. [17]
Nominal GDP
US$182.37 billion in 2025 (World Bank current-dollar series). [2]
GDP per capita
US$4,672.5 in 2025, current US dollars; GDP per capita is not mean wages or median income. [2]
Real GDP growth
4.6% in 2025 (World Bank annual volume growth series). [2]
Consumer-price inflation
0.7% in 2025 (World Bank annual CPI change). [2]
Unemployment
9.0% in 2025 under the World Bank/ILO-modeled labor-force series; not directly comparable with HCP’s national unemployment statistic. [2]
Currency
Moroccan dirham (MAD; commonly DH), divided into 100 centimes.
Central bank
Bank Al-Maghrib.
Main economic activities
Wholesale and retail trade, tourism, financial services, automotive and aerospace manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, phosphates, chemicals, logistics and construction. [17] [8]
Merchandise exports
MAD 469.075 billion (2025, Office des Changes provisional customs-statistics basis). [8]
Merchandise imports
MAD 822.223 billion (2025, Office des Changes provisional customs-statistics basis). [8]
Merchandise trade balance
MAD 353.148 billion deficit in 2025 (customs merchandise trade basis). [8]
Exports of services
MAD 315.037 billion (2025 provisional balance-of-payments basis); separate from goods exports. [8]
Imports of services
MAD 155.375 billion (2025 provisional balance-of-payments basis). [8]
Travel receipts
MAD 138.101 billion recorded in 2025; travel receipts are a component of services, not an additional merchandise export. [8]
International tourist arrivals
19.8 million in 2025 according to the OECD’s 2026 profile drawing on Moroccan data. [10]
Major export goods
Automobiles and vehicle wiring, phosphate fertilizers and phosphoric acid, agricultural and food products, textiles, aircraft components, electrical products and chemicals. [8]
Automotive export sector
MAD 154.494 billion in 2025, the largest sector in Office des Changes’ selected sector grouping. [8]
Phosphates and derivatives
MAD 99.804 billion in 2025, including fertilizers, phosphoric acid and phosphate rock. [8]
Agriculture and agri-food exports
MAD 86.828 billion in 2025, covering agriculture and food-processing activities. [8]
Textile and leather exports
MAD 43.804 billion in 2025, including finished garments and knitwear. [8]
Aerospace exports
MAD 29.087 billion in 2025, including assembly and electrical interconnection systems. [8]
Major export markets
Spain and France are the two largest reported destinations in the 2025 UN Comtrade series, followed by other European and international markets. [18]
Foreign trade relationships
Particularly strong trade integration with the European Union; broadening relationships with African, Asian and American partners. [9]
Energy resources
Solar and wind capacity, hydropower, energy imports and domestic fossil-fuel exploration; continued dependence on imported fossil energy. [17]
Agriculture and rural livelihoods
Cereals, olives, citrus, vegetables, livestock and related processing; rainfall fluctuations have major effects on production. [17]
Key economic risks
Drought and water stress, youth employment, unequal regional development, external energy prices and trade deficits. [17]

Principal Export Categories (2025)

Selected merchandise sectors, 2025, billions of Moroccan dirhams; Office des Changes provisional customs values, not a full product ranking.
Sector2025 exportsExamples
AutomotiveMAD 154.494 billionVehicles, vehicle wiring, interior components and seats.
Phosphates and derivativesMAD 99.804 billionFertilizer, phosphoric acid and phosphate rock.
Agriculture and agri-foodMAD 86.828 billionFresh produce, agricultural products, foods and seafood products.
Textiles and leatherMAD 43.804 billionClothing, knitwear and leather goods.
AerospaceMAD 29.087 billionAircraft assemblies and electrical wiring systems.
Services (reported separately)MAD 315.037 billionTravel, transportation, professional and other services; not added to the merchandise-sector table.

The first five rows are selected customs-based merchandise-sector groupings; the services row uses balance-of-payments accounting. The categories are not all directly additive and should not be interpreted as a product-by-product ranking. [8] [9]

People and Society

Official languages
Arabic and Amazigh (Tamazight), under Article 5 of the 2011 Constitution. [5]
Most widely used spoken Arabic
Moroccan Arabic (Darija), a major everyday language; Modern Standard Arabic is widely used in formal written and institutional settings. [11]
Amazigh language varieties
Tashelhit (Tachelhit), Central Atlas Tamazight and Tarifit, with regional variation. [11]
Saharan language
Hassaniya Arabic is used in southern Saharan communities; interpretation of its geographic extent should account for Western Sahara’s status. [5] [11] [13]
French
Widely used in commerce, higher education, administration and professional settings; not designated a state official language by Article 5. [5]
Other languages
Spanish and English are used in particular educational, tourism, business and regional contexts.
2024 Darija use
91.9% reported use of Moroccan Darija in the 2024 census figures discussed by the HCP; this is an overlapping language-use category rather than exclusive mother-tongue affiliation. [11]
2024 Amazigh language use
24.8% reported use of an Amazigh variety in 2024 census reporting; individuals may also use Darija. [11]
State religion
Islam, under Article 3 of the Constitution. [5]
Predominant religious tradition
Sunni Islam; a 2023 U.S. Department of State report estimated more than 99% of the population as Sunni Muslim, not a 2026 census figure. [12]
Other faiths and communities
Jewish and Christian communities, Shia Muslims, Bahá’ís and others; estimates vary and different sources may distinguish citizens from foreign residents. [12]
Constitutional religious framework
Article 3 establishes Islam as the state religion and states that the free exercise of religion is guaranteed; its operation is shaped by other laws and practices. [5]
Amazigh cultural recognition
The 2011 Constitution recognizes Amazigh as an official language and a common national heritage; implementation has proceeded through later legislation. [5]
National and regional identities
The population includes diverse Amazigh, Arab, Saharan, Jewish and other historical and contemporary communities; language and ethnicity are not interchangeable categories.
2024 urbanization
62.8% of census-counted residents were classified as urban in 2024. [1]
Literacy and education
Access to education has expanded, while rural–urban and socioeconomic disparities remain; national census, survey and school metrics use different age bases.
Cultural traditions
Rich traditions in Amazigh and Arab literature, music, religious scholarship, crafts, cuisine and architecture.
Major cultural centers
Fes, Marrakesh, Meknes, Rabat, Tangier, Tetouan and other historic urban communities.
UNESCO-listed heritage
Historic medinas and cultural landscapes are among Morocco’s inscribed World Heritage properties. [20]
Calendar and observances
National civil administration follows the Gregorian calendar; religious observances follow the Islamic lunar calendar.

Demographic interpretation: The 2024 census language-use percentages overlap; a bilingual person may be counted in multiple language categories. The religious percentages cited here are external estimates from a 2023 report, not a national census measure. [11] [12]

Government and Institutions

Form of government
Unitary constitutional monarchy with parliamentary institutions and an executive led by the King and head of government. [5]
Head of state
King Mohammed VI, on the throne since 1999. [6]
Head of government
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, appointed September 29, 2026; her cabinet was sworn in October 16, 2026. [6]
Political transition of 2026
The Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) finished first in the September 23, 2026 lower-house election; El Mansouri became Morocco’s first woman head of government. [7] [6]
Constitution
Constitution approved by referendum July 1, 2011 and promulgated that month. [5]
Constitutional position of the King
The King is head of state, Commander of the Faithful and exercises substantial constitutional powers in strategic state matters. [5]
Government
Head of government and ministers appointed through constitutional procedures; current cabinet formed October 16, 2026. [6]
Legislature
Bicameral Parliament consisting of the House of Representatives and House of Councillors. [7]
House of Representatives
395 members, directly elected on the terms prescribed by electoral law. [7]
House of Councillors
120 members, selected through indirect electoral arrangements. [7]
Latest parliamentary election
September 23, 2026 for the House of Representatives; reported results should be distinguished from the subsequent formation of government. [7] [6]
Judicial organization
Court of Cassation and lower courts; the Constitution sets out principles of judicial independence. [5]
Constitutional review
Constitutional Court established under the 2011 constitutional framework. [5]
Administrative structure
Twelve regions; official local-government portal reports 75 prefectures and provinces, plus communes. [16]
Territorial administration
Regional, provincial/prefectural and communal institutions; governors, walis and elected councils have different responsibilities. [16] [5]
Territorial caveat
The twelve-region structure used by Morocco includes regions partly or wholly within Western Sahara; these administrative arrangements do not determine international legal sovereignty. [16] [13]
Principal governing parties in 2026
A coalition formed by PAM, Istiqlal, USFP and PPS following the September 2026 election. [22]
Public administration
Central ministries, devolved administration, local governments and public agencies operating under constitutional and statutory authority. [5] [16]
Electoral system
Direct elections to the House of Representatives; indirect selection of the House of Councillors, with additional local and regional elections. [7]
National political priorities
Economic development, social protection, youth employment, education, infrastructure and regional development; policy mandates vary by government. [17]

Leadership verification: Some reference directories still list Aziz Akhannouch, whose term ended with the 2026 governmental transition. The Kingdom’s October 16, 2026 appointment notice identifies Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the head of government. [6] [19]

International Profile

United Nations
Member since November 12, 1956. [15]
African Union
Member; Morocco returned to the continental organization in 2017 after having left its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity, in 1984.
Arab League
Member; the country also participates in wider Arab diplomatic forums.
Other major organizations
Organization of Islamic Cooperation, WTO, IMF, World Bank, African Development Bank and other regional/international institutions.
Regional economic and political ties
Commercial relations with the European Union, African states, Arab partners, the United States and wider global markets. [9]
Key trade partners
Spain and France feature prominently among export destinations; China is an important import source, with country rankings depending on metric and reference year. [18]
Mediterranean and Atlantic position
Strategically located at the Strait of Gibraltar, linking maritime routes between Europe, Africa, the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Western Sahara dispute
Morocco asserts sovereignty and proposes autonomy under Moroccan rule; the Polisario Front advocates Sahrawi self-determination. The UN continues to classify Western Sahara as a Non-Self-Governing Territory. [13] [14]
2026 UN Security Council development
On October 30, 2026, competing draft Security Council approaches to the Western Sahara mission failed to gain adoption; that procedural outcome did not resolve the underlying sovereignty dispute. [14] [14]
Border relationships
Land frontier with Algeria; disputed Western Sahara and Spanish-administered Ceuta/Melilla are material cross-border questions. [13]
Security cooperation
International maritime, counterterrorism and regional security cooperation involving European, African and transatlantic partners.
Trade and investment framework
Participation in multilateral trade rules and bilateral/regional economic agreements. [9]
International heritage participation
UNESCO World Heritage Convention, with listed cities and heritage properties. [20]
Telephone country code
+212.
National internet domain
.ma.

Neutrality on territorial claims: “Administered by Morocco” describes a situation on the ground, not international recognition of sovereignty. Morocco’s position, the Polisario Front’s position and the UN classification are distinguished explicitly. [13] [14]

Sources and Verification

Editorial cutoff: November 5, 2026. Population figures from Morocco’s census, national projections and World Bank estimates are kept separate. Economic series use 2025 where available. Merchandise trade uses Office des Changes customs figures; international services accounts follow separate balance-of-payments conventions. Areas and legal descriptions avoid treating Western Sahara’s contested sovereignty as settled.

  1. High Commission for Planning (HCP), 2024 General Population and Housing Census — Legal Population — 2024 census count, regional distribution and household totals.
  2. World Bank, Morocco Country Data — 2025 population, GDP, per-capita output, real growth, inflation and other economic indicators.
  3. High Commission for Planning, Population Projections 2024–2060 — 2025 and 2026 national projections, different from the World Bank population series.
  4. United Nations Data, Morocco Country Profile — North Africa classification, capital, conventional 446,550 km² surface area and currency.
  5. Kingdom of Morocco, Constitution of 2011 (official legal database) — Constitutional monarchy, religion, official languages, institutions, legislative and executive arrangements.
  6. Kingdom of Morocco, Appointment of the New Government, October 16, 2026 — Current head of government and cabinet, appointed and sworn in October 2026.
  7. IFES Election Guide, Morocco Chamber of Representatives Election of September 23, 2026 — 2026 general election, 395-seat lower chamber and 120-member upper chamber.
  8. Office des Changes, 2025 Annual Monthly External Trade Indicators — 2025 merchandise imports and exports, sector totals, tourism receipts and services trade; provisional at release.
  9. Office des Changes, 2025 Annual Foreign Trade Report (released October 15, 2026) — Publication of consolidated 2025 merchandise and balance-of-payments statistical reports.
  10. OECD, Tourism Trends and Policies 2026 — Morocco — 2025 arrivals, tourism activity and industry significance.
  11. Le Desk, 2024 Census Demographic and Linguistic Results (reporting HCP tables) — 2024 Darija, Amazigh, Hassaniya and language-use census categories.
  12. U.S. Department of State, 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom: Morocco — Pre-2026 estimates of religious affiliation and minority religious communities.
  13. United Nations, Decolonization — Western Sahara — Western Sahara’s continued UN designation as a Non-Self-Governing Territory.
  14. Associated Press, Security Council Draft Resolutions on Western Sahara, October 2026 — Contemporary reporting on October 2026 Security Council disagreement over renewal and the unresolved sovereignty question.
  15. United Nations, Member States — Morocco’s UN admission on November 12, 1956.
  16. Morocco National Portal of Local Governments, Territorial Organization — Twelve regions, 75 provinces/prefectures and communal tier (source baseline 2023).
  17. World Bank Group, Morocco Country Overview — Economic diversification, geographical context and constraints including drought.
  18. BBVA, Morocco Country Trade Profile (Comtrade 2025) — Principal 2025 goods trading partners and product composition by UN Comtrade measure.
  19. Official Morocco Portal, Government Composition (2026) — Current head of government and ministerial portfolios.
  20. UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Morocco State Party — UNESCO heritage status and sites.
  21. United Nations Statistics Division, M49 Geographic Regions — Northern Africa and country-code classifications.
  22. Kingdom of Morocco, Four Parties Announce Government Majority, October 13, 2026 — Official announcement identifying the PAM, Istiqlal, USFP and PPS coalition.

Editorial methodology: This page is a compact cross-country reference, not an exhaustive national history or legal opinion. Sources are cited at the fact level when useful; where figures disagree, their institutional source, statistical year and measurement basis are shown rather than averaged. Political offices, trade totals and territorial status should be reviewed when new official information is published.