Economy - overview:

Economy - overview:

Morocco has capitalized on its proximity to Europe and relatively low labor costs to build a diverse, open, market-oriented economy. In the 1980s Morocco pursued austerity measures and pro-market reforms, overseen by the IMF. Since taking the throne in 1999, King MOHAMMED VI has presided over a stable economy marked by steady growth, low inflation, and generally declining government debt. Industrial development strategies and infrastructure improvements - most visibly illustrated by a new port and free trade zone near Tangier - are improving Morocco's competitiveness. Key sectors of the economy include agriculture, tourism, phosphates, textiles, apparel, and subcomponents. In 2006 Morocco entered into a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the United States; it remains the only African country to have one. In 2008 Morocco entered into an Advanced Status agreement with the European Union. Despite Morocco's economic progress, the country suffers from high unemployment and poverty. In 2011, high food and fuel prices strained the government's budget and widened the country's current account deficit. Key economic challenges for Morocco include fighting corruption, reducing government spending, reforming the education system and judiciary, addressing socioeconomic disparities, and building more diverse, higher value-added industries.
GDP (purchasing power parity):

$163.5 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
$155.9 billion (2010 est.)
$150.4 billion (2009 est.)
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):

$97.69 billion (2011 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:

4.9% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
3.7% (2010 est.)
4.9% (2009 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):

$5,100 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
$4,900 (2010 est.)
$4,800 (2009 est.)
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 16.5%
industry: 32.2%
services: 51.4% (2011 est.)
Labor force:

11.54 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 44.6%
industry: 19.8%
services: 35.5% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:

8.9% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
9.1% (2010 est.)
Population below poverty line:

15% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 33.2% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:

40.9 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
39.5 (1999 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):

30.6% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
Budget:

revenues: $25.61 billion
expenditures: $31.54 billion (2011 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:

26.2% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):

-6.1% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Public debt:

64.7% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
61% of GDP (2010 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):

0.9% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
1% (2010 est.)
Central bank discount rate:

6.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
3.31% (31 December 2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:

6.5% (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
6.3% (31 December 2010 est.)
Stock of narrow money:

$68.41 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
$65.75 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Stock of broad money:

$107.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
$102.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:

$104.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
$96.22 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:

$60.09 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 49
$69.15 billion (31 December 2010)
$62.91 billion (31 December 2009)
Agriculture - products:

barley, wheat, citrus fruits, grapes, vegetables, olives; livestock; wine
Industries:

phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, energy, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:

4.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Current account balance:

-$8.337 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
-$4.209 billion (2010 est.)
Exports:

$21.51 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
$17.58 billion (2010 est.)
Exports - commodities:

clothing and textiles, electric components, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, citrus fruits, vegetables, fish
Exports - partners:

France 19.7%, Spain 18.2%, India 6.2%, Brazil 5%, US 4.6% (2011)
Imports:

$40.96 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
$32.65 billion (2010 est.)
Imports - commodities:

crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics
Imports - partners:

France 13.6%, Spain 11.2%, US 8.6%, Saudi Arabia 6.8%, China 6.5%, Italy 5.1%, Russia 4.7%, Germany 4.4% (2011)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$20.64 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
$23.61 billion (2010 est.)
Debt - external:

$28.08 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
$26.56 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$47.78 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
$45.26 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$1.603 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
$1.851 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Exchange rates:

Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar -
8.0899 (2011 est.)
8.4172 (2010 est.)
8.0571 (2009)
7.526 (2008)
8.3563 (2007)
Fiscal year:

calendar year
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Government ::MOROCCO

Government ::MOROCCO
Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco
conventional short form: Morocco
local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah
local short form: Al Maghrib
Government type:

constitutional monarchy
Capital:

name: Rabat
geographic coordinates: 34 01 N, 6 49 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1 hr, begins first Sunday in April; ends last Sunday in July
Administrative divisions:

15 regions; Grand Casablanca, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Doukkala-Abda, Fes-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara, Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal, Tanger-Tetouan, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate
note: Morocco claims the territory of Western Sahara, the political status of which is considered undetermined by the US Government; portions of the regions Guelmim-Es Smara and Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra as claimed by Morocco lie within Western Sahara; Morocco also claims Oued Eddahab-Lagouira, another region that falls entirely within Western Sahara
Independence:

2 March 1956 (from France)
National holiday:

Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999)
Constitution:

10 March 1972; revised 4 September 1992, amended September 1996; constitutional reforms expanding the government's powers approved in 1 July 2011 referendum
Legal system:

mixed legal system of civil law based on French law and Islamic law; judicial review of legislative acts by Supreme Court
International law organization participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:

chief of state: King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999)
head of government: Prime Minister Abdelilah BENKIRANE (since 29 November 2011)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections
Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the Chamber of Counselors (or upper house) (270 seats - to be reduced to a maximum of 120; members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates to serve nine-year terms; one-third of the members are elected every three years) and Chamber of Representatives (or lower house) (395 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Counselors - last held on 3 October 2009 (next to be held in 2012); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 25 November 2011 (next to be held in 2016)
election results: Chamber of Counselors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PJD 107, PI 60, RNI 52, PAM 47, USFP 39, MP 32, UC 23, PPS 18, LP 4, other 13
Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed on the recommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:

Action Party or PA [Mohammed EL IDRISSI]; Al Ahd (The Covenant) Party [Najib EL OUAZZANI]; Alliance des Libert'es (Alliance of Liberty) or ADL [Ali BELHAJ]; An-Nahj Ad-Dimocrati or An-Nahj [Abdellah EL HARIF]; Authenticity and Modernity Party or PAM [Mohamed Cheikh BIADILLAH, secretary general]; Choura et Istiqlal (Consultation and Independence) Party or PCI [Abdelwahed MAACH]; Citizens' Forces or FC [Abderrahman LAHJOUJI]; Citizenship and Development Initiative or ICD [Mohamed BENHAMOU]; Constitutional Union Party or UC [Mohammed ABIED]; Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE]; Democratic Forces Front or FFD [Touhami EL KHIARI]; Democratic Socialist Vanguard Party or PADS [Ahmed BENJELLOUN]; Democratic Society Party or PSD [Zhor CHEKKAFI]; Democratic Union or UD [Bouazza IKKEN]; Environment and Development Party or PED [Ahmed EL ALAMI]; Istiqlal (Independence) Party or PI [Abbas EL FASSI]; Justice and Development Party or PJD [Abdelillah BENKIRANE]; Labor Party or PT [Abdelkrim BENATIK]; Moroccan Liberal Party or PML [Mohamed ZIANE]; National Democratic Party or PND [Abdallah KADIRI]; National Ittihadi Congress Party or CNI [Abdelmajid BOUZOUBAA]; National Popular Movement or MNP [Mahjoubi AHERDANE]; National Rally of Independents or RNI [Mustapha EL MANSOURI]; National Union of Popular Forces or UNFP [Abdellah IBRAHIM]; Popular Movement or MP [Mohamed LAENSER]; Progress and Socialism Party or PPS [Ismail ALAOUI]; Reform and Development Party or PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOUHEN]; Renaissance and Virtue Party or PRV [Mohamed KHALIDI]; Renewal and Equity Party or PRE [Chakir ACHABAR]; Social Center Party or PSC [Lahcen MADIH]; Socialist Democratic Party or PSD [Aissa OUARDIGHI]; Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Driss LACHGAR]; Unified Socialist Left Party or PGSU [Mohamed Ben Said AIT IDDER]
Political pressure groups and leaders:

Democratic Confederation of Labor or CDT [Noubir AMAOUI]; General Union of Moroccan Workers or UGTM [Abderrazzak AFILAL]; Moroccan Employers Association or CGEM [Hassan CHAMI]; National Labor Union of Morocco or UNMT [Abdelslam MAATI]; Union of Moroccan Workers or UMT [Mahjoub BENSEDDIK]
International organization participation:

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CD, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Paris Club (associate), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNSC (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Mohammed Rachad BOUHLAL
chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979
FAX: [1] (202) 265-0161
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Samuel L. KAPLAN
embassy: 2 Avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat
mailing address: PSC 74, Box 021, APO AE 09718
telephone: [212] (37) 76 22 65
FAX: [212] (37) 76 56 61
consulate(s) general: Casablanca
Flag description:

red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian gulf; the pentacle represents the five pillars of Islam and signifies the association between God and the nation; design dates to 1912
National symbol(s):

pentacle symbol; lion
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People and Society ::MOROCCO

People and Society ::MOROCCO
Nationality:

noun: Moroccan(s)
adjective: Moroccan
Ethnic groups:

Arab-Berber 99%, other 1%
Languages:

Arabic (official), Berber languages (Tamazight (official), Tachelhit, Tarifit), French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy)
Religions:

Muslim 99% (official), Christian 1%, Jewish about 6,000
Population:

32,309,239 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Age structure:

0-14 years: 27.4% (male 4,500,299/ female 4,366,656)
15-64 years: 66.4% (male 10,493,176/ female 10,954,845)
65 years and over: 6.2% (male 899,693/ female 1,094,570) (2012 est.)
population pyramid:
Median age:

total: 27.3 years
male: 26.7 years
female: 27.8 years (2012 est.)
Population growth rate:

1.054% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Birth rate:

18.97 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Death rate:

4.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Net migration rate:

-3.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Urbanization:

urban population: 58% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major cities - population:

Casablanca 3.245 million; RABAT (capital) 1.77 million; Fes 1.044 million; Marrakech 909,000; Tangier 768,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:

100 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 70
Infant mortality rate:

total: 26.49 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 74
male: 31.16 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 76.11 years
country comparison to the world: 80
male: 73.04 years
female: 79.32 years (2012 est.)
Total fertility rate:

2.19 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Health expenditures:

5.5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 128
Physicians density:

0.62 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Hospital bed density:

1.1 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Sanitation facility access:

improved:
urban: 83% of population
rural: 52% of population
total: 69% of population
unimproved:
urban: 17% of population
rural: 48% of population
total: 31% of population
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

26,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
HIV/AIDS - deaths:

1,200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:

16% (2000)
country comparison to the world: 31
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:

9.9% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 67
Education expenditures:

5.6% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 41
Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 56.1%
male: 68.9%
female: 43.9% (2009 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 10 years (2007)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:

total: 21.9%
country comparison to the world: 45
male: 22.8%
female: 19.4% (2009)morocco culture,moroccan food,morocco food,moroccan cuisine,morocco beaches,moroccan meal,beaches in morocco,moroccan culture,hercules cave,hercules cave morocco