Morocco profile

Demography and Health

Morocco is home to about 38.1 million people in 2024, reflecting a substantial and growing population that underpins a rising labor force and domestic market. The birth rate remains elevated at 16.7 per 1,000 people (2023), while the crude death rate is 5.64 per 1,000 (2023), contributing to a life expectancy at birth of 75.3 years (2023). Under-5 mortality stands at 16.6 per 1,000 live births (2023), signaling ongoing gains in child health yet room for improvement in neonatal and infant care. The poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines is relatively low, at 3.9% (2022), suggesting broad based improvements in living standards, though disparities likely persist between regions and urban-rural areas. Internet access is high, with 91.0% of the population using the Internet in 2023, which supports digital health information, telemedicine, and mobile health services. Health financing shows a moderate footprint of 5.68% of GDP in 2022 for current health expenditure, with domestic general government health expenditure per capita (PPP) at 226 international US$ (2022) and an overall health expenditure profile that points to ongoing public-private mix reform. Morocco also maintains a health system that must balance expanding demand with efficiency, given an aging demographic trend and persistent gaps in some health indicators.

Economy

The Moroccan economy shows a mix of moderate income levels and structural transformation. GDP per capita stands at 3,993 current US$ in 2024, with a GDP per capita, PPP of 10,305 international US$, signaling improvements in living standards when adjusted for purchasing power but still below regional peers. Inflation was 0.985% in 2024, suggesting price stability that can support consumer confidence and investment planning. The country has a diversified export base, with exports of goods and services accounting for 43.3% of GDP in 2024, and imports representing 52.5% of GDP, implying a sizable trade deficit in goods that is partly offset by services and remittances. High-technology exports are modest but growing, at about 1.72 billion current US$ in 2023, and patent activity among residents reached 254 applications in 2021, indicating ongoing innovation activity though still concentrated in select sectors. The unemployment rate is 11.8% (2022), highlighting labor market slack relative to growth aspirations, while the public sector and private sector health expenditure continue to influence the efficiency and equity of health and social programs. Morocco’s macroeconomic landscape also features a current account deficit of 0.617% of GDP (2023), suggesting financial vulnerability to external shocks but manageable given reserve adequacy and policy space. Overall, the economy shows momentum in diversification, digital adoption, and export sophistication, while remaining sensitive to external demand, commodity prices, and the global investment cycle.

Trade and Investment

Trade and investment dynamics in Morocco reflect a strategy of integrating with global markets while advancing domestic value chains. Exports of goods and services constitute 43.3% of GDP in 2024, underscoring a solid export orientation that includes energy, agricultural products, automotive components, and increasingly high-tech goods. Imports account for 52.5% of GDP, indicating a significant reliance on foreign inputs for industrial production and consumer goods. Foreign direct investment, net inflows, stand at 0.759% of GDP in 2023, signaling modest but meaningful foreign capital participation that can support infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology transfer. The environment for private investment is shaped by governance indicators such as regulatory quality (-0.0642), control of corruption (-0.536), and government effectiveness (-0.0359), which suggest ongoing reforms to streamline rules, reduce arbitrariness, and improve public services. The country also benefits from a broad internet user base (91% of the population in 2023), which supports e-commerce, fintech, and digital platforms that can attract investment in information-intensive sectors. As Morocco continues to balance imports with export growth, policy emphasis on competitiveness, logistics, and investment in technology will be crucial to sustaining a favorable trade and investment trajectory.

Governance and Institutions

Morocco’s governance landscape shows mixed signals across dimensions of stability, rule of law, and anti-corruption measures. Political stability and absence of violence/terrorism are rated at -0.368 (2023), indicating some exposure to domestic or regional risks but general policy continuity. The rule of law sits at -0.128, and regulatory quality at -0.0642, reflecting ongoing challenges in strengthening legal frameworks and the predictability of regulatory processes. Control of corruption is -0.536, suggesting persistent concerns about governance perceived to be influenced by non-meritocratic practices or opacity in public affairs. Government effectiveness is -0.0359, a marginally negative reading that points to room for improvement in public service delivery and policy implementation. On the positive side, Morocco has stable institutions relative to many peers in the region and a track record of reform efforts in governance, anti-corruption, and public finance. Collectively, these indicators imply that while governance is improving and reforms are underway, strengthening rule of law, regulatory quality, and transparency remains essential for attracting investment and sustaining inclusive growth.

Infrastructure and Technology

In infrastructure and technology, Morocco exhibits notable strengths in digital connectivity and select high-tech capabilities, while energy and water systems pose ongoing challenges. Individuals using the Internet reach 91% of the population in 2023, reflecting broad digital access that supports commerce, education, and innovation. High-technology exports reach 1.72 billion current US$ in 2023, indicating a growing footprint in advanced manufacturing and knowledge-intensive sectors. Patent activity among residents recorded 254 applications in 2021, signaling ongoing inventive capacity and a foundation for knowledge-based industries. The energy landscape shows renewable energy consumption at 10.9% of total final energy consumption (2021), highlighting earlier stages of the transition to cleaner power but suggesting substantial headroom for expansion of solar, wind, and other renewables. Water resources face significant stress, with freshwater withdrawal at 50.8% of available resources (2021), underscoring the need for efficient water management, infrastructure development, and resilience strategies. The overall infrastructure and technology profile points to strong digital infrastructure and an expanding R&D footprint, complemented by ongoing investments in energy diversification, albeit with environmental and resource constraints that require strategic planning and financing.

Environment and Sustainability

Morocco’s environmental footprint and sustainability indicators reveal a country positioned between rapid development and environmental stewardship. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita, excluding LULUCF, are 2.83 t CO2e per capita in 2023, illustrating moderate emissions intensity relative to population size and economic activity. The prevalence of undernourishment stands at 6.9% of the population in 2022, indicating that malnutrition remains a concern for a segment of society, albeit at lower levels than in many comparable economies. Water stress is acute, with freshwater withdrawal representing 50.8% of available resources in 2021, signaling heightened vulnerability to droughts and climate variability that can affect agriculture and livelihoods. Renewable energy accounts for 10.9% of total final energy consumption in 2021, underscoring a policy trajectory toward diversification of energy sources and potential for significant gains through solar and wind investments. The country balances its climate ambitions with social objectives, leveraging renewable deployment, efficiency improvements, and technological innovation to reduce emissions while sustaining growth. With life expectancy high and human development advancing, environmental management remains a central element of Morocco’s path toward sustainable development, energy security, and resilience against climate risks.