Morocco Demographics

What is the population of Morocco?

Population 35,561,654
Population Growth Rate 1.04%
Urban Population 57%
Population in Major Urban Areas Casablanca 3.046 million; RABAT (capital) 1.843 million; Fes 1.088 million; Marrakech 939,000; Tangier 810,000; Agadir 805,000
Nationality Noun Moroccan(s)
Nationality Adjective Moroccan
Ethnic Groups Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%
Languages Spoken Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French
Language Note The official language is Arabic, and the Moroccan dialect of Arabic, called Derija, is the most widely spoken tongue. Derija is quite different from the classical Arabic of the Qur’an (koran), the scriptural text of Islam. Berber is the native language of about 35 % of the population, and it also includes several dialects. Other dialects are Rif, Tamazight and Shluh. French is widely spoken, especially in business, government, and higher education. Spanish can still be heard in the north, which was formerly under Spanish control. English is gaining popularity.

Morocco Health Information

What are the health conditions in Morocco?

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 15-49 67.4%
Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population 4.78
Drinking Water Source - percent of rural population improved 63.6%
Drinking Water Source - percent of total population unimproved 16.4%
Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved 98.5%
Health Expenditures - percent of GDP 6%
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate 0.1%
HIV/Aids Deaths 1,200
Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population 1.1
Infant Mortality Rate - female deaths/1,000 live births 20.71
Infant Mortality Rate - male deaths/1,000 live births 30.04
Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births 25.49
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births 100
Mean Age for Mother's First Birth 25.4
Obesity - adult prevalence rate 16.4%
People Living with HIV/AIDS 26,000
Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population .62
Sanitation Facility Access - percent of total population unimproved 24.6%
Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved 84.5%
Sanitation Facility Access - percent of rural population improved 63.1%
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman 2.17
Underweight - percent of children under five years 3.1%

Morocco Life Expectancy

How long do people live in Morocco?

Life Expectancy at Birth 76 Years
Life Expectancy at Birth - female 79 Years
Life Expectancy at Birth - male 73 Years
Median Age 27 Years
Median Age - female 28 Years
Median Age - male 27 Years

Morocco Infant Mortality - per 1,000 live births

Morocco median age, birth rate and death rates

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population 19
Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population 4.78
Median Age 27 Years
Median Age - female 28 Years
Median Age - male 27 Years
Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population -3.56
Population Growth Rate 1.04%
Sex Ratio 0-14 Years - male/female 1.03
Sex Ratio 15-24 Years - male/female .99
Sex Ratio 25-54 Years - male/female .94
Sex Ratio 55-64 Years - male/female .97
Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female 1.05
Sex Ratio of Total Population - male/female .97
Sex Ratio Over 64 Years - male/female .82

Morocco Medical Information

What are the health conditions in Morocco?

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Adequate medical care is available in Morocco’s largest cities, particularly in Rabat and Casablanca, although not all facilities meet Western standards. Specialized care or treatment may not be available. Medical facilities are adequate for non-emergency matters, particularly in the urban areas, but most medical staff will have limited or no English skills. Most ordinary prescription and over-the-counter medicines are widely available. However, specialized prescriptions may be difficult to fill and availability of all medicines in rural areas is unreliable. Travelers should not ask friends or relatives to send medications through the mails or FedEx or UPS since Moroccan customs will impound the delivery and not release it to the recipient. Emergency and specialized care outside the major cities is far below U.S. standards, and in many instances may not be available at all. Travelers planning to drive in the mountains and other remote areas may wish to carry a medical kit and a Moroccan phone card for emergencies.

In the event of vehicle accidents involving injuries, immediate ambulance service usually is not available. The police emergency services telephone number is 190.

Morocco Education

What is school like in Morocco?

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP 5.4%
Literacy - female 39.4%
Literacy - male 64.1%
Literacy - total population 52.3%
Literacy Definition age 15 and over can read and write
School Life Expectancy - female 11 Years
School Life Expectancy - male 12 Years
Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary) 11 Years

Morocco Literacy

Can people in Morocco read?

Literacy - female 39.4%
Literacy - male 64.1%
Literacy - total population 52.3%
Literacy Definition age 15 and over can read and write
Predominant Language Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French

Morocco Crime

Is Morocco a safe place to visit?

Crime Information

Crime in Morocco is a serious concern, particularly in the major cities and tourist areas. Aggressive panhandling, pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, theft from occupied vehicles stopped in traffic, and harassment of women are the most frequently reported issues. Criminals have used weapons, primarily knives, during some street robberies and burglaries. These have occurred at any time of day or night, not only in isolated places or areas less frequented by visitors, but in crowded areas as well. It is always best to have a travel companion and utilize taxis from point to point, particularly at night and when moving about unfamiliar areas. Residential break-ins also occur and have on occasion turned violent, but most criminals look for opportunities based on stealth rather than confrontation.

Women walking alone in certain areas of cities and rural areas are particularly vulnerable to assault by men. Women are advised to travel with a companion or in a group when possible and to ignore any harassment. Responding to verbal harassment can escalate the situation. The best course of action is generally not to respond or make eye contact with the harasser. Travelers should avoid soccer stadiums and environs on days of scheduled matches as large groups of team supporters have been known to become unruly and harass and even assault bystanders.

Joggers should be mindful of traffic and remain in more heavily populated areas. It is always best to have a jogging companion and avoid isolated areas or jogging at night. The use of headphones while jogging is discouraged for personal safety reasons.

Taxis in Morocco are generally crime-free, although city buses are not considered safe. Trains are generally safe, but theft, regardless of the time of day, sometimes occurs. Avoid carrying large sums of cash and be particularly alert when using ATM machines. In the event you are victimized by crime or an attempted crime, or experience any security-related incident during your stay in Morocco, please report the incident to the local police and the U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca as soon as possible.

Fraud in Morocco may involve a wide range of situations from financial fraud to relationship fraud for the purpose of obtaining a visa. If you believe you are the victim of a fraudulent scheme, you may wish to consult with an attorney to best determine what your options are under Moroccan law. Since fraud can involve a wide range of circumstances, it is difficult to provide general guidelines on how to pursue criminal charges in these issues.

There have been instances in which a U.S. citizen has met a Moroccan online and come to live with or visit him or her in Morocco and found themselves in financial or otherwise difficult situations while in country. If you are concerned about a family member or friend who is visiting someone he or she met online, you can contact American Citizens Services at the U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca at 212-522-26-71-51.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, you may also be breaking local law.

Morocco Penalties for Crime

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Morocco you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Morocco your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go.

Arrest Notifications in Morocco: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

Morocco Population Comparison

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