Morocco statistics — population, economy, trade and telecom

As Africa’s gateway to Europe and a pivotal node in South-South trade corridors, Morocco commands increasing analytical attention in 2026. The kingdom has sustained one of the continent’s more resilient macroeconomic trajectories, navigating post-pandemic recovery, climate-related agricultural stress, and a landmark hosting role for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Understanding Morocco’s statistical profile is essential for investors, policymakers, and development practitioners tracking North Africa’s evolving economic architecture.

Population and Demographics

Morocco’s population stands at approximately 38 million as of 2025, according to UN Population Division estimates, making it the fifth most populous country in Africa. The urbanisation rate has crossed roughly 65 percent, reflecting decades of rural-to-urban migration concentrated around the Casablanca-Rabat corridor, Marrakech, and Fès. The median age sits at approximately 30 years, positioning Morocco as a relatively young but maturing society compared to sub-Saharan peers. Annual population growth is estimated at around 1.1 to 1.2 percent — a rate that has decelerated steadily as fertility rates decline in urban centres. The Moroccan diaspora, estimated at over five million people concentrated in France, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands, plays a structurally significant role in household income and foreign exchange inflows through remittances.

Economic Indicators

World Bank estimates put Morocco’s GDP at roughly 145 to 150 billion US dollars in current prices for 2024, with GDP per capita approaching 4,000 dollars — placing the country firmly in the lower-middle-income bracket. Real GDP growth for 2024 is estimated at approximately 3.2 to 3.5 percent by the IMF, a recovery supported by a stronger agricultural season following drought-suppressed output in prior years, as well as sustained services activity. Inflation, which spiked sharply in 2022 and 2023 driven by food and energy prices, moderated toward the 3 to 4 percent range by late 2024 as Bank Al-Maghrib’s monetary tightening took effect. The official unemployment rate hovers around 13 percent nationally, though youth unemployment — particularly among urban graduates — is considerably higher, with some estimates exceeding 30 percent in that cohort. Morocco’s currency, the dirham (MAD), operates under a managed float regime introduced in 2018, with the central bank maintaining a reference basket weighted toward the euro and the US dollar. Public debt-to-GDP is estimated at roughly 70 percent, a level that rating agencies and the IMF have flagged as requiring fiscal consolidation, though Morocco retains investment-grade status with major agencies.

Trade and External Accounts

Morocco’s export profile has diversified substantially over the past two decades. Phosphates and phosphate derivatives — fertilisers and phosphoric acid — remain the dominant export commodity, with the Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP Group) controlling one of the world’s largest phosphate reserves. Automotive components and assembled vehicles represent the second major export pillar, driven by the Tanger Med industrial zone and partnerships with Renault and Stellantis. Agricultural exports, particularly citrus, tomatoes, and processed foods, and aerospace components round out the top tiers. On the import side, energy products, capital goods, cereals, and semi-finished industrial inputs account for the bulk of the import bill. Spain, France, and India are consistently among Morocco’s top trading partners, while intra-African trade — particularly with West Africa — is growing in strategic importance as Morocco deepens its continental engagement through ECOWAS observer status and bilateral agreements. The current account deficit has historically ranged between 2 and 5 percent of GDP; remittance inflows and tourism receipts partially offset the structural trade deficit, and industry reports suggest the current account narrowed in 2024 relative to the 2022 peak.

Key Sectors

Agriculture contributes roughly 12 to 15 percent of GDP but employs an estimated 35 to 40 percent of the labour force, underscoring persistent productivity gaps. The sector remains highly vulnerable to rainfall variability; the Green Morocco Plan and its successor, Generation Green 2020–2030, have sought to modernise irrigation and shift toward higher-value crops. The industrial sector, accounting for approximately 25 to 28 percent of GDP, is anchored by phosphate processing, automotive manufacturing, textiles, and construction materials. The Tanger Med port complex — one of Africa’s largest container hubs — is a critical logistics infrastructure asset underpinning industrial competitiveness. Services dominate the economy at roughly 55 to 58 percent of GDP, led by retail trade, financial services, and public administration. Tourism is a structurally important sub-sector: Morocco received approximately 14 to 15 million international arrivals in 2024, with tourism receipts estimated at over 9 billion dollars, according to industry and government sources. The mining sector beyond phosphates includes modest production of cobalt, silver, and lead. Renewable energy is an emerging industrial priority, with the Noor solar complex and wind installations positioning Morocco as a potential green hydrogen exporter to Europe.

Telecommunications and Digital

Morocco’s telecommunications sector is among the most developed in Africa. Mobile penetration exceeds 130 percent of the population on a SIM-card basis, reflecting multi-SIM usage, according to ITU and ANRT (Agence Nationale de Réglementation des Télécommunications) data. Internet penetration is estimated at roughly 88 to 90 percent, with mobile broadband the primary access channel. The three dominant operators — Maroc Telecom (majority-owned by Etisalat/e&), Orange Maroc, and Inwi — compete across 4G networks that cover the majority of the population. 5G licensing and rollout discussions have advanced, with commercial deployment anticipated ahead of the 2030 World Cup infrastructure timeline. Mobile money adoption remains comparatively limited relative to sub-Saharan African markets, partly because Morocco’s relatively mature banking sector — with a banked population rate above 50 percent — reduces the unbanked demand that drives mobile money uptake elsewhere. However, digital payment platforms and fintech services are expanding rapidly, supported by Bank Al-Maghrib’s open banking regulatory initiatives.

Sources and Methodology

This dashboard draws on data and estimates from the World Bank World Development Indicators, IMF World Economic Outlook (October 2024 edition), the UN Population Division World Population Prospects, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Morocco’s Haut-Commissariat au Plan (HCP) national statistics office, the ANRT telecommunications regulator, OCP Group annual reporting, and the African Development Bank’s African Economic Outlook. Where precise figures were not available with confidence, qualifying language — “approximately,” “roughly,” “estimates suggest” — has been used to avoid presenting uncertain data as definitive. All figures reflect the most recent available reference period, primarily 2024, with some 2023 base data where 2024 estimates had not been published at time of writing. Readers requiring granular or sector-specific data are encouraged to consult primary source databases directly, as figures are subject to revision.

For deeper qualitative analysis of Morocco’s political economy, investment climate, and strategic outlook, visit the Morocco expert briefing. To benchmark Morocco against other African nations, explore all African country statistics on this platform. For broader context on continental economic trends shaping Morocco’s trajectory, see our African economy coverage.