Morocco is located at the northwestern tip of the African continent, having both Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea coastlines. Its population is over 32 million, and the capital city is Rabat. Both Arabic and French languages are spoken. The country’s topography is mostly mountainous. The climate of Morocco is arid, with cold winters and long, hot summers, with occasional sandstorms. Rainfall is higher in the north as compared to the southern areas.
Morocco is administratively divided into 16 regions. The regions are sub-divided into 62 prefectures and provinces. The mostly coastal fishery industry is the important pillar of the country’s economy. Phosphates and phosphorus also constitute a key economic sub-sector. Forests cover about 12 percent of the total surface area.
Context
Context
Morocco has both rain-fed and irrigated agriculture. The coastal plains are the most suitable areas for agricultural activities. Subsistence farming on small plots of less than 5 hectares is most common. The food crops grown include wheat, barley, potatoes and tomatoes. Tomatoes and some other vegetables are exported. Sugar beets, sugarcane and cotton are the main industrial crops. Oranges, olives, grapes, and dates are also grown. Farmers cultivate cannabis (hashish) over a large area where the poor soil quality does not allow profitable cultivation of alternate crops. The government has been trying to eliminate the cannabis crop under the United Nations pressure.
Key Statistics and Indicators
Indicator |
Value |
Year |
Agricultural land (sq km) Agricultural land (% of land area) Arable land (hectares) Arable land (% of land area) Arable land (hectares per person) |
301,038 67.45 7,943,800 17.79 0.24 |
2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 |
Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land) |
40.98 |
2009 |
Agriculture, value added (% of GDP) Food production index (2004-2006 = 100) Food exports (% of merchandise exports) Food imports (% of merchandise imports) |
14.31 126.3 19.00 11.44 |
2012 2011 2010 2010 |
GNI per capita, Atlas method (current US$) |
2940 |
2012 |
Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) Literacy rate, youth female (% of females ages 15-24) Literacy rate, youth male (% of males ages 15-24) Ratio of young literate females to males (% ages 15-24) Ratio of female to male secondary enrollment (%) |
56.08 72.14 86.72 83.18 84.74 |
2009 2009 2009 2009 2012 |
Mobile cellular subscriptions (per 100 people) Internet users (per 100 people) |
113.26 51 |
2011 2011 |
Population, total Population density (people per sq. km of land area) Rural population Rural population (% of total population) Agricultural population (% of total population) Total economically active population Total economically active population in agriculture Total economically active population in agriculture (in % of total economically active population) Female economically active population in agriculture (% of total economically active population in agriculture) |
32,521,143 71.83 13,852,055 42.59 N.A. 11,438,152 N.A. N.A. N.A. |
2012 2011 2012 2012 2011 |
Sources: The World Bank
Acknowledgements
- Authored by M. Kalim Qamar (August 2013)
- Edited by Burton E. Swanson