Population of Morocco: features, numbers, employment and interesting facts

The multifacetedness of the country with a history based mainly on the age-old confrontation of the indigenous population - the Berbers - and the conquerors, is reflected in the inhabitants of Morocco. A monotonous religious composition, but the language difference is represented by the population of Morocco. In addition, the territory is inhabited unevenly, which only contributes to the diversity of the population.

Brief history of the country

The state gained independence only in the second half of the twentieth century. Until 1956, Morocco was under the rule of Spain, then France, it was part of several Arab states. On these lands at different times there were states of almoravids, almochads, Alauts, Idrisids, rulers of the dynasty of Marinids and Vattasids, Saadis.

In the Ancient era, the coast was an important staging post and trading platform, and a little later the territory was nominally under the authority of the Roman Empire. At the same time in the northern part of the modern state began to actively develop agriculture, large cities were built: Banaz, Sale, Volubilis. The population of Morocco, which at that time was predominantly nomadic, was not very influenced by the empire, although it was nominally subordinate to Rome.

Today, the state is the main ally of the United States, which is not part of the military alliance. Diplomatic relations with Russia are characterized by a turnover of more than $ 2 billion (as of 2010). In addition, Russian citizens can come to Morocco without having to obtain a visa.

Population dynamics

History, which originates from prehistoric times, distinguishes Morocco. The population of the territory of the modern state in the year 150 AD was a million people. After the Great Migration of Peoples, the number of inhabitants decreased from 3 million in 300 to 2 million in 500 m. Almost until the middle of the seventeenth century, the population of the country of Morocco was within the number of 2.7 to 4.2 million people.

Active population growth began in the twentieth century and continues to this day. In 1900, the population of Morocco had 5.1 million inhabitants, and by the early sixties the number of Moroccans had doubled. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, 30.1 million people were registered. According to the latest actual data (for 2016), the population of Morocco is 35 million people.

Age and gender structure of Morocco

The number of able-bodied citizens of Morocco is 23.2 million people, which in percentage terms is 66.1%. The proportion of Moroccans of retirement age is only 6.1% (2.1 million people), children under the age of 15 inclusive are 9.7 million (27.8%). The number of men and women is approximately equal, the ratio between the sexes is respectively 49% and 51%.

Coefficients of social pressure on society

This ratio gives a relatively high percentage of total social workload. So, every person employed in Morocco must ensure the production of one and a half times more goods and services than is required for him.

The coefficient of child load (potential substitution) is 42.1%, which ensures the progressive type of the age-sex pyramid and the youth of the population. The ratio of the pension load, which is calculated as the ratio of the population above the able-bodied population to employed people, in Morocco is 9.2%.

Life Expectancy and Literacy

The expected life expectancy of citizens (at birth) is 75.9 years. Only 72% of the adult population can read and write, while the level of literacy of the stronger sex is 82.7%, the weak - 62.5%. Young people (15-24 years old) are more literate. Among the youth, the literacy rate is 95.1%.

Density of population and the type of settlement of Morocco

Considering the size of the population (35 million Moroccans) and the area of the state (446.5 thousand sq. Km excluding Western Sahara or 710.8 thousand sq. Km, if Morocco is included in the disputed territory), the density of the population of Morocco is calculated. The figure is 70 people per square kilometer, which puts the state on a par with, for example, Iraq, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Kenya and Cambodia.

Most of the population of the country is concentrated in the north and west of the state, the south-eastern regions remain practically deserted, where the density of inhabitants hardly reaches 1-2 people per square kilometer. Half Moroccans live in cities, the largest of which are:

1. Casablanca is the most densely populated city and the largest port. Almost 10% of the population lives in the agglomeration.
2. Rabat is the cultural and industrial center of Morocco. The urban population is 1.6 million people.
3. Marrakech is an imperial city, the fourth largest in Morocco.
4. Fes is the oldest of the imperial cities, the largest center of culture and education in northern Africa.

The number of municipalities with a population of 10 to 100 thousand people is rapidly increasing in Morocco.

The employment of the population depends on the territory of the settlement. In the cities, many are engaged in services (in general, 45% of the population), in the rural areas are engaged in the cultivation of grain and other crops, citrus fruits. In the agricultural sector, about 40% of Moroccans are employed.

Ethnic composition of Morocco

Morocco is the third most populous Arab country in the world. Most of the inhabitants (60%) are Arabs, and 40% of Berbers are descendants of the indigenous population. A small percentage are Europeans (mainly French, Spanish, Portuguese) and Jews.

Religious composition of the population

Morocco proclaims Islam as the state religion, which 98.7% of the population profess. A small part of the population are adherents of Christianity (1.1%) or Judaism (0.2%). Compliance with the rules of Islam is controlled by the king, and the religious orders themselves can not be objects of constitutional reforms.

The population of Morocco is religious enough, but it does not observe all religious orders. For example, a large part of the population observes Ramadan, but does not give up alcohol (including during fasting). By the way, the alleviation of alcohol policy, enshrined at the legislative level, requires many foreigners who permanently reside in Morocco.

Language affiliation of Moroccans

The population of Morocco speaks two official languages - Arabic literary and one of the Berber dialects (there are 15-18 million speakers, that is, 50-65% of the population). The Moroccan dialect of Arabic is colloquial.

In addition, French is widely spoken - a rather prestigious language, the second for many citizens of the state. French is widely used in commerce, government, education. In the northern regions and in the vicinity of Fez, many speak Spanish, and as a second foreigner, more and more young people choose English.