World Happiness Report for Morocco 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Morocco: 107
- Happiness Score Morocco:4.795
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Morocco. MA.
Morocco is a North African country known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes. It has a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system.
- Morocco is one of the world’s largest producers of phosphates.
- The country is known for its vibrant and colorful traditional music and dance.
- Morocco is home to the ancient city of Marrakech, known for its bustling souks and stunning architecture.
Morocco – Overview
Early History
The area now known as Morocco has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era, with the earliest known inhabitants being the Berbers. The region was later home to several ancient civilizations, including the Carthaginian and Roman empires, which controlled parts of the territory.
Kingdoms and Empires
Throughout its history, Morocco has been ruled by various dynasties and empires, including the Almoravids (1040-1147), the Almohads (1147-1269), the Marinids (1215-1465), and the Saadis (1511-1659). The Alaouite dynasty, which rules Morocco today, came to power in the 17th century.
Colonial Period
Morocco was a French protectorate from 1912 until its independence in 1956. The colonial period saw significant changes in the country’s infrastructure, economy, and social structure.
Independence and Modern Era
Morocco gained independence from France in 1956 after a prolonged struggle led by nationalist forces. The country has experienced periods of political unrest and conflict, including the Rif War (1958-1959) and the Western Sahara conflict, an ongoing territorial dispute with the Polisario Front. Morocco has also undergone several constitutional reforms, most recently in 2011, which aimed to enhance democratic processes and civil liberties.
Current Political Situation
Morocco is a constitutional monarchy, with King Mohammed VI as the current head of state. The prime minister is the head of government and leader of the majority party in parliament. Recent elections have seen increased representation of various political parties, although the monarchy retains significant influence.
International Relations
Morocco has cultivated strong relations with several Western nations and is a member of the Arab League and the African Union. The Western Sahara conflict remains a significant foreign policy issue, with Morocco claiming sovereignty over the region.
Human Development and Economy
Morocco’s economy is diverse, with significant contributions from sectors such as agriculture, tourism, textiles, and phosphate mining. The country has made progress in human development indicators but still faces challenges in areas like education, healthcare, and gender equality.
Cultural Highlights
Morocco is known for its rich cultural heritage, which blends Berber, Arab, and European influences. Islam is the predominant religion, and Arabic and Berber are the official languages. Moroccan architecture, cuisine, music, and crafts are renowned worldwide.
Challenges and Opportunities
Morocco faces challenges related to economic development, social inequality, water scarcity, and political reform. However, the country’s strategic location, growing tourism sector, and efforts towards diversifying its economy present opportunities for continued progress.
Main facts
1. Location
Morocco is located in the northwestern corner of Africa. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Strait of Gibraltar separates it from Spain. Morocco shares land borders with Algeria to the east and Western Sahara to the south. The country also administers most of the territory of Western Sahara.
2. Map References
Morocco is situated in the region of North Africa, along the Mediterranean Sea.
3. Area – Comparative
With an area of 446,550 square kilometers (172,414 square miles), Morocco is slightly larger than the US state of California.
4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries
Morocco has land borders with two countries: Algeria (1,559 km) to the east and the territory of Western Sahara (443 km) to the south.
5. Coastline
Morocco has a coastline of 1,835 km, stretching along both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Notable coastal features include the Strait of Gibraltar and the ports of Tangier, Casablanca, and Agadir.
6. Maritime Claims
Morocco claims a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles, a contiguous zone of 24 nautical miles, and an exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles.
7. Climate
Morocco has a Mediterranean climate influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the Sahara Desert. The coastal regions have a mild, Mediterranean climate, while the interior regions have a more continental climate with hot summers and cooler winters. The Sahara Desert in the south has a hot, dry climate.
8. Terrain
The terrain of Morocco is dominated by the Atlas Mountains in the center and the coastal plains along the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The Rif Mountains are located in the northern part of the country, while the Sahara Desert covers the southern and southeastern regions.
9. Elevation Extremes
The highest point in Morocco is Jbel Toubkal at 4,167 meters (13,671 feet) above sea level, located in the High Atlas Mountains. The lowest point is Sebkha Tah, a saltwater lake at 55 meters (180 feet) below sea level.
10. Natural Resources
Morocco’s major natural resources include phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, and salt.
11. Major Bodies of Water
The major bodies of water in Morocco include the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Notable rivers include the Moulouya, Sebou, and Oum Er-Rbia.
12. Natural Hazards
The primary natural hazards in Morocco are earthquakes, flooding, and drought.
13. Geography – Notes
Morocco’s strategic location at the intersection of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea has made it a key transit point for migration and trade throughout history. The country’s diverse landscapes, ranging from the Sahara Desert to the Atlas Mountains, contribute to its rich cultural heritage and biodiversity.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 12.60%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 61,276. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 68.50%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: 31.791702-7.09262.
- Capital: The capital of Morocco is Rabat
- Major Cities:
- Casablanca – Population: 3,359,818
- Rabat – Population: 577,827
- Fez – Population: 1,112,072
- Marrakesh – Population: 928,850
- Tangier – Population: 947,952
- Population: 36,910,560
- Area(Km2): 446550
- Population Density( P/Km²):83. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:212
- Official Language(s):Morocco is Arabic (official) 60-70%, French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy)
- Currency: MAD
Main Economic Indicators
Morocco has a diverse, market-oriented economy that is well-integrated into the global market. Its GDP is around $119 billion, making it one of the larger economies in Africa. Key sectors include agriculture, tourism, aeronautics, automotive, phosphates, textiles, apparel, and commerce. Major economic challenges include reducing high unemployment, reforming the education system, tackling corruption, and improving infrastructure. Notable economic policies focus on opening up sectors to foreign investment and promoting renewable energy sources.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
1.9% (2021 est.)
0.7% (2020 est.)
Source: CIA World Factbook
Credit Ratings
Fitch: BB+ (Stable Outlook)
Moody’s: Ba1 (Stable Outlook)
Standard & Poor’s: BB+ (Stable Outlook)
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 12.7%
Industry: 29.4%
Services: 57.9%
Source: CIA World Factbook (2017 est.)
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural: Barley, wheat, citrus fruits, grapes, vegetables, olives; livestock
Industrial: Phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, automotive parts, aerospace, textile and apparel, tourism
Labor Force
Total: 12.15 million (2020 est.)
Ranking: 47th in the world
Current Account Balance
-$3.94 billion (2021 est.)
-$1.58 billion (2020 est.)
Ranking: 156th in the world
Exports and Imports
Exports: $37.07 billion (2020 est.)
Partners: Spain 23%, France 19%, Italy 4%, US 4% (2019)
Commodities: Insulated wiring, cars, phosphoric acid, aircraft
Imports: $49.63 billion (2020 est.)
Partners: Spain 14%, France 13%, China 9%, US 7%, Germany 6%, Italy 5%, Turkey 5% (2019)
Commodities: Refined petroleum, textile fabric, automobiles, gas and electricity, wheat
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Foreign Exchange Reserves: $33.67 billion (31 December 2021 est.)
Gold Reserves: 22.05 tonnes (April 2022 est.)
- GDP (Current US$):$118,725,279,596. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 21.90%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 45.80%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. $0.99. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. $1.60. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 9.02%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
National Identity
Noun: Moroccan(s)
Adjective: Moroccan
Ethnic Groups
Arab-Berber 99%, other 1%
Religions
Muslim 99% (officially; virtually all being Sunni), other 1%
Age Structure
0-14 years: 25.78% (male 5,146,912/female 4,913,935)
15-64 years: 67.46% (male 13,232,193/female 13,002,992)
65 years and over: 6.76% (male 1,193,345/female 1,443,625) (2020 est.)
Dependency Ratios
Total dependency ratio: 47.4
Youth dependency ratio: 37.8
Elderly dependency ratio: 9.6
Potential support ratio: 10.4 (2020 est.)
Median Age
Total: 29.7 years
Male: 29.2 years
Female: 30.2 years (2020 est.)
Lifestyle Indicators
Obesity – adult prevalence rate: 26.1% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita: 0.7 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Smoking prevalence: 24.2% of adults (2020 est.)
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 76.5. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 73.8%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:18.94. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:6. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 2.42. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 59.5%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 22,975,026. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):53.10%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
Morocco’s military consists of the following main branches:
- Royal Moroccan Army (including the Infantry, Artillery, Armored Corps, Air Defense, Engineers, and other support units)
- Royal Moroccan Navy (including the Coast Guard)
- Royal Moroccan Air Force
- Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie (paramilitary police force responsible for internal security)
The country also has an elite Special Operations Command that includes special forces units from various service branches.
Military Expenditures
Military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:
- 2022: 3.9%
- 2021: 4.1%
- 2020: 3.8%
- 2019: 3.6%
- 2018: 3.4%
Morocco’s military spending ranks 47th globally, according to the latest available data.
Personnel Strengths
Morocco has an active-duty military personnel strength of approximately 195,500, with the following breakdown:
- Royal Moroccan Army: 175,000
- Royal Moroccan Navy: 7,800
- Royal Moroccan Air Force: 12,700
The Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie has an additional force of around 25,000 personnel.
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
Morocco’s military equipment inventory includes:
- Tanks (including M1A1 Abrams, M60A3, and M48A5 models)
- Armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles
- Towed and self-propelled artillery systems
- Multi-role combat aircraft (including F-16 Fighting Falcons and F-5 Freedom Fighters)
- Transport and utility helicopters
- Naval vessels (including frigates, patrol craft, and auxiliary ships)
Morocco has ongoing plans to acquire additional advanced military hardware, including more F-16 fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Military Service Age and Obligation
Military service in Morocco is voluntary, with the age range for enlistment being 18-24 years old. There is no mandatory conscription policy in place.
Military Deployments
Morocco has contributed troops to several United Nations peacekeeping missions, including:
- United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)
- United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)
- United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
The country also has a small military contingent deployed in support of the Saudi-led coalition operations in Yemen.
Strategic Military Notes
Morocco’s defense strategy focuses on maintaining territorial integrity, particularly concerning the Western Sahara conflict, and contributing to regional stability and counterterrorism efforts. The military plays a role in international peacekeeping missions and has strong security partnerships with countries like the United States, France, and Saudi Arabia.
- Armed Forces Size: 195000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 0.73
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 45.30%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.