People and Society of Morocco

Nationality

Moroccan(s)

Ethnic Groups

Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%

Population

37,840,044

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

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.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Morocco has risen steadily over recent decades, reflecting meaningful improvements in healthcare access, nutrition, sanitation, and public health infrastructure across the country. As of the most recently available data, the average life expectancy at birth in Morocco stands at approximately 75 to 76 years overall, with women typically outliving men by several years. Female life expectancy is estimated at around 77 to 78 years, while male life expectancy hovers closer to 74 to 75 years. This upward trend represents a remarkable transformation from the mid-20th century, when life expectancy in Morocco was significantly lower, often estimated below 50 years. The gains can be attributed to a range of factors, including expanded vaccination programs, reductions in infant and child mortality rates, improved maternal healthcare, and broader access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities in both urban and rural areas. Urban centers such as Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech generally see higher life expectancy figures compared to rural and mountainous regions, where access to quality healthcare facilities and specialists remains more limited. The country has made significant strides in reducing deaths from communicable diseases, though non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer have become increasingly prominent causes of mortality, mirroring trends seen across much of the Middle East and North Africa region. Morocco's government has invested in primary healthcare expansion and universal health coverage initiatives, including the AMO Tadamon program, which replaced and expanded upon the earlier Ramed scheme to extend mandatory health insurance coverage to a broader segment of the population, including those in the informal economy and low-income households. These efforts have contributed to sustained gains in longevity and represent a significant step toward more equitable healthcare access. While Morocco's life expectancy compares favorably within Africa and aligns closely with regional averages for the North Africa and Middle East zone, it still trails behind high-income nations in Western Europe and North America. Continued investment in preventive care, chronic disease management, and equitable healthcare distribution across geographic and socioeconomic lines will be key to sustaining and improving these figures in the coming decades.

Infant Mortality Rate

Morocco has made substantial progress in reducing infant mortality over recent decades, reflecting broader improvements in healthcare infrastructure, maternal health services, and public health initiatives. The infant mortality rate — defined as the number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births — stood at approximately 18 to 19 deaths per 1,000 live births in recent years, a dramatic decline from figures exceeding 80 per 1,000 live births recorded in the early 1980s. This downward trend is largely attributed to expanded access to prenatal and postnatal care, increased rates of skilled birth attendance, widespread vaccination programs, and improvements in nutrition and sanitation. The Moroccan government has invested significantly in rural healthcare infrastructure, helping to narrow the gap between urban and rural mortality rates, though disparities between cities and remote regions persist. Urban areas such as Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech generally report lower infant mortality rates than rural and mountainous regions, where access to hospitals and trained medical personnel remains more limited. Poverty, lower educational attainment among mothers, and inadequate access to clean water and sanitation continue to pose challenges in these areas. UNICEF and WHO have recognized Morocco's commitment to child health through national programs targeting neonatal care, diarrheal disease prevention, and respiratory illness management — among the leading causes of infant death in the country. Morocco's National Initiative for Human Development has also contributed to improved health outcomes in underserved communities. Despite meaningful progress, Morocco's infant mortality rate remains higher than the average for upper-middle-income countries, indicating room for continued improvement. Ongoing efforts focus on strengthening emergency obstetric care, improving health literacy among mothers, and expanding access to clean water and sanitation facilities in rural provinces. With sustained investment and policy attention, projections suggest Morocco can continue to reduce infant deaths in the coming decades.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Muslim99.0%
• Christian1.0%

Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French

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.

• Arabic
• French

• Ibn Batuta

  Abu Abdullah al-Lawati Ibn Batuta was born on 25 Feb. 1304 in the city of Tangier on northern coast of Morocco In the course of his travels he met several holy sufis, studied law in madrassas across the land, fought alongsid e the descendants of Genghis Khan, became the chief judge (Qadi) of Delhi under the patronage of Muhammed bin Tughlaq (and almost lost his head to trampling elephants when he lost favor with the whimsical king), served in the courts of the Zamorins of Calicut, married into the royal family in Maldives and plotted a coup to take over the kingdom, sailed to Sumatra and China as an Ambassador from India

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.

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.