Population and Demographics

Morocco is the fourth most populous Arab country, after Egypt, Sudan and Algeria. Most Moroccans are Sunni Muslims of Arab, Berber or mixed Arab-Berber stock. There is also a small population of Haratin, black Moroccans who are the descendants of ancestors from the Sahel region.

About three-quarters of all present-day Moroccans are of Berber descent, while Arabs form the second largest ethnic group. Morocco's Jewish minority has decreased significantly and numbers about 7,000. Most of the 100,000 foreign residents are French or Spanish; many are teachers or technicians and more and more retirees, especially in Marrakech.

Most people live west of the Atlas Mountains, a range that insulates the country from the Sahara Desert. Casablanca is the centre of commerce and industry and the leading port; Rabat is the seat of government; Tangier is the gateway to Morocco from Spain and also a major port; Fez is the cultural and religious centre; and the dominantly "Berber" Marrakech is a major tourist centre.

Facts and Figures

Ethnic groups:

• Arab-Berber 99.1%
• Other 0.7%
• Jewish 0.2%

Religions:

• Muslim 98.7%
• Christian 1.1%
• Jewish 0.2%

Literacy:

• total population: 51.7%
• male: 64.1%
• female: 39.4%