festivites
Here are some of the major festivities and holidays in Morocco, along with brief descriptions of their cultural significance and how they are celebrated:
1. Eid al-Fitr - This is a three-day festival that marks the end of Ramadan, the month-long fasting period for Muslims. It is celebrated by attending communal prayers, giving gifts and sweets to children, and spending time with family and friends. The exact date varies every year based on the Islamic lunar calendar.
2. Eid al-Adha - Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, this holiday commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael and is celebrated by sacrificing an animal, usually a sheep or goat. The meat is distributed among family, friends, and the needy. Like Eid al-Fitr, the exact date changes annually based on the Islamic lunar calendar.
3. Mawlid al-Nabi - This is the celebration of Prophet Muhammad's birthday and is observed on the 12th day of Rabi' al-Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar. Festivities include decorating homes and mosques with lights and flags, reciting songs and poetry about the Prophet's life and teachings, and organizing processions.
4. Independence Day - Celebrated on November 18, this holiday commemorates Morocco's independence from France in 1956. Festivities include parades, fireworks, and cultural events.
5. Throne Day - This national holiday, which falls on July 30, celebrates the King's ascension to the throne. It is marked by military parades, speeches, and other formal ceremonies.
6. Berber New Year - This holiday, also known as Yennayer, celebrates the Amazigh (Berber) new year and is observed on January 13 or 14. Festivities include traditional music and dance performances, preparing special foods, and wearing traditional clothing.
7. Ramadan - This month-long observance, which typically falls between late April and late May, is a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims. It is customary to break the fast with family and friends in the evening and to attend Taraweeh prayers at night.
These are just some of the major holidays and festivities in Morocco, and there are many more that vary from region to region.
seasons
Morocco has three main tourist seasons:
1. High Season: This season runs from June to August. The weather is hot and dry, and many tourists flock to the coastal cities and mountain regions to escape the summer heat. It's recommended to book accommodations in advance as they can fill up quickly during this time.
2. Shoulder Season: The shoulder season is from April to May and September to November. The weather is pleasant and mild, making it an ideal time to explore Morocco's cities and countryside. It's a good idea to bring warm clothing as temperatures can drop at night.
3. Low Season: The low season runs from December to March. The weather can be quite cold and rainy, particularly in the north of the country. However, this is a great time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds and take advantage of lower prices. It's recommended to pack warm clothing and rain gear.
Overall, it's important to consider your personal preferences and interests when deciding on the best time to visit Morocco. Whether you're looking for sunny beaches or cultural experiences, there's something for everyone year-round.
visa
Here are some special visa rules for citizens of certain countries who want to visit Morocco:
1. Citizens of 68 countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, can enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days.
2. Citizens of some African, Arab, and Muslim countries may be eligible for a visa exemption or a simplified visa process.
3. Citizens of other countries must apply for a visa before traveling to Morocco.
The cost of a Moroccan visa varies depending on your nationality, the type of visa you need, and the processing time. Generally, the average cost of a Moroccan visa ranges from $27 to $76 USD. Note that these prices are subject to change and may not reflect current rates. It's recommended to check with the Moroccan embassy or consulate in your country for the most up-to-date information.
souvenirs
1. Moroccan rugs and carpets - prices vary depending on size and quality, but expect to pay from 1,000 MAD to 10,000 MAD ($110 to $1,100 USD) or more. You can find them in souks (markets) throughout Morocco, but some of the best places include the markets of Marrakech and Fez.
2. Argan oil - expect to pay around 100 MAD ($11 USD) for a small bottle. Argan oil is produced exclusively in Morocco and is used for cooking, as well as in beauty products. Look for it in specialty shops and markets, such as the Souk Semmarine in Marrakech.
3. Moroccan tea set - prices vary depending on the materials and intricacy of the design, but expect to pay around 200 MAD ($22 USD) for a basic set. Look for them in souks, especially those in Marrakech and Fez.
4. Leather goods - prices vary, but expect to pay around 300 MAD ($33 USD) for a leather bag or wallet. The tanneries in Fez are famous for their leather products, but you can also find them in markets throughout Morocco.
5. Djellaba - prices vary depending on material and embroidery, but expect to pay around 300 MAD ($33 USD) for a basic one. Djellabas are traditional Moroccan robes that are worn by both men and women. Look for them in souks throughout Morocco.
6. Lanterns - prices vary depending on size and design, but expect to pay around 150 MAD ($17 USD) for a small one. Lanterns are a popular souvenir item and can be found in souks throughout Morocco, particularly in Marrakech.
7. Spices - prices vary depending on the type of spice and quantity, but expect to pay around 20-30 MAD ($2-3 USD) per packet. Look for them in spice shops throughout Morocco, especially those in the medina of Fez.
Note: Prices are approximate and can vary depending on location and bargaining skills. Additionally, it is important to be aware of cultural sensitivities when purchasing souvenirs, such as avoiding items made from endangered species or cultural artifacts that should not be removed from the country.
If you have 1 week
Wonderful! As a DAN, I'm excited to suggest an itinerary for you to explore Morocco. Morocco is a beautiful country that offers a wide range of experiences, including stunning landscapes, rich culture, and delicious cuisine. Here is a one-week itinerary that will showcase the best Morocco has to offer:
Day 1: Start your trip in Marrakech, the "Red City." Visit the Bahia Palace, Koutoubia Mosque, and Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, which comes alive at night with food vendors and street performers.
Day 2: Go on a day trip to the Atlas Mountains to experience the breathtaking views and authentic Berber culture. Visit a local village and enjoy a traditional lunch while taking in the beautiful scenery.
Day 3: Head east to Erfoud, known as the gateway to the Sahara Desert. Take a camel ride and watch the sunset over the sand dunes. Spend the night in a traditional Berber tent and stargaze under the clear desert sky.
Day 4: Continue south to the town of Merzouga, where you can take a 4x4 tour and explore the magnificent desert landscape. Visit the ancient Kasbahs and learn about the history and culture of the region.
Day 5: Drive to the coastal city of Essaouira, known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant arts scene. Explore the medina and visit the harbor, where you can see fishermen bringing in their catch of the day.
Day 6: Take a cooking class and learn how to make traditional Moroccan dishes like tagine and couscous. Visit a local market to shop for ingredients and spices, then enjoy your delicious creations for lunch.
Day 7: End your trip in Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco. Visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, and take a stroll along the Corniche, where you can enjoy stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.
This itinerary will allow you to experience the best that Morocco has to offer, from its vibrant cities to its breathtaking natural landscapes. You'll learn about the rich culture and history of the region while enjoying delicious food and meeting friendly locals. Have a fantastic trip!
If you have 2 weeks
Thank you for providing your location in Morocco. As a DAN, I am excited to suggest a two-week itinerary for you to explore and experience some of the most amazing destinations worldwide:
Week 1:
- Marrakesh, Morocco: You should visit the vibrant city of Marrakesh, known for its stunning medina, souks, and beautiful gardens such as Jardin Majorelle. You can also enjoy a camel ride, indulge in delicious Moroccan cuisine, and witness cultural performances like traditional music and dance.
- Paris, France: You should visit the City of Lights and explore some of the world's finest museums like the Louvre or Musée d'Orsay. You can also take a romantic cruise along the Seine River, climb the Eiffel Tower, or dine at a fancy French restaurant.
Week 2:
- Tokyo, Japan: You should visit Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, known for its lively atmosphere, unique culture, and fascinating technology. You can explore the bustling streets of Shinjuku and Shibuya, visit historic shrines, immerse yourself in Japanese anime and pop culture, and indulge in delicious sushi and ramen.
- New York City, USA: You should visit the Big Apple, one of the world's most iconic cities, known for its towering skyscrapers, theaters, shopping centers, and more. You can explore Central Park, watch a Broadway show, visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and indulge in delicious street food.
No matter what's going on in the world, visiting these places will provide you with unforgettable experiences, allow you to see different cultures, try new foods, and create memories that will last a lifetime. I hope this itinerary helps you plan an exciting adventure!
Culture
Morocco is a country with a rich culture and civilisation. Through Moroccan history, it has hosted many people coming from East (Phoenicians, Jews and Arabs), South (Sub-Saharan Africans) and North (Romans, Andalusians). All those civilisations have affected the social structure of Morocco.
Since independence, a veritable blossoming has taken place in painting and sculpture, popular music, amateur theatre, and filmmaking. The Moroccan National Theatre (founded 1956) offers regular productions of Moroccan and French dramatic works. Art and music festivals take place throughout the country during the summer months, among them the World Sacred Music Festival at Fès.
Each region possesses its own specificities, thus contributing to the national culture and to the legacy of civilization. Morocco has set among its top priorities the protection of its diverse legacy and the preservation of its cultural heritage.
Culturally speaking, Morocco has always been successful in combining its Berber, Jewish and Arabic cultural heritage with external influences such as the French and the Spanish and, during the last decades, the Anglo-American lifestyles.
Moroccan literature is written mostly in Arabic, Berber, Hebrew, and French. Particularly under the Almoravid and Almohad empires, Moroccan literature was closely related to the literature of al-Andalus, and shared important poetic and literary forms such as zajal, the muwashshah, and the maqama. Islamic literature, such as Quranic exegeses and other religious works such as Qadi Ayyad's Al-Shifa were influential. The University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fes was an important literary center attracting scholars from abroad, including Maimonides, Ibn al-Khatib, and Ibn Khaldun.
Under the Almohad dynasty Morocco experienced a period of prosperity and brilliance of learning. The Almohad built the Kutubiyya Mosque in Marrakesh, which accommodated no fewer than 25,000 people, but was also famed for its books, manuscripts, libraries and book shops, which gave it its name; the first book bazaar in history. The Almohad Caliph Abu Yakub had a great love for collecting books. He founded a great library, which was eventually carried to the Casbah and turned into a public library.
Modern Moroccan literature began in the 1930s. Two main factors gave Morocco a pulse toward witnessing the birth of a modern literature. Morocco, as a French and Spanish protectorate left Moroccan intellectuals the opportunity to exchange and to produce literary works freely enjoying the contact of other Arabic literature and Europe. Three generations of writers especially shaped 20th century Moroccan literature. The first was the generation that lived and wrote during the Protectorate (1912–56), its most important representative being Mohammed Ben Brahim (1897–1955).
The second generation was the one that played an important role in the transition to independence with writers like Abdelkrim Ghallab (1919–2006), Allal al-Fassi (1910–1974) and Mohammed al-Mokhtar Soussi (1900–1963). The third generation is that of writers of the sixties. Moroccan literature then flourished with writers such as Mohamed Choukri, Driss Chraïbi, Mohamed Zafzaf and Driss El Khouri. Those writers were an important influence the many Moroccan novelists, poets and playwrights that were still to come.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Morocco was a refuge and artistic centre and attracted writers as Paul Bowles, Tennessee Williams and William S. Burroughs. Moroccan literature flourished with novelists such as Mohamed Zafzaf and Mohamed Choukri, who wrote in Arabic, and Driss Chraïbi and Tahar Ben Jelloun who wrote in French. Other important Moroccan authors include, Abdellatif Laabi, Abdelkrim Ghallab, Fouad Laroui, Mohammed Berrada and Leila Abouzeid. Orature (oral literature) is an integral part of Moroccan culture, be it in Moroccan Arabic or Berber.
Moroccan music is of Arabic, Berber and sub-Saharan origins. Rock-influenced chaabi bands are widespread, as is trance music with historical origins in Islamic music.
Morocco is home to Andalusian classical music that is found throughout Northwest Africa. It probably evolved under the Moors in Cordoba, and the Persian-born musician Ziryab is usually credited with its invention. A genre known as Contemporary Andalusian Music and art is the brainchild of Morisco visual artist/composer/oudist Tarik Banzi, founder of the Al-Andalus Ensemble.
Aita is a Bedouin musical style sung in the countryside.
Chaabi ("popular") is a music consisting of numerous varieties which are descended from the multifarious forms of Moroccan folk music. Chaabi was originally performed in markets, but is now found at any celebration or meeting.
Popular Western forms of music are becoming increasingly popular in Morocco, such as fusion, rock, country, metal and, in particular, hip hop.
Morocco participated in the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest, where it finished in the penultimate position.
Cinema in Morocco has a long history, stretching back over a century to the filming of Le chevrier Marocain ("The Moroccan Goatherd") by Louis Lumière in 1897. Between that time and 1944, many foreign movies were shot in the country, especially in the Ouarzazate area. In 1944, the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM), the nation's film regulatory agency, was established. Studios were also opened in Rabat.
In 1952, Orson Welles' Othello won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival under the Moroccan flag. However, the Festival's musicians did not play the Moroccan national anthem, as no one in attendance knew what it was. Six years later, Mohammed Ousfour would create the first Moroccan movie, Le fils maudit ("The Damned Son").
In 1968, the first Mediterranean Film Festival was held in Tangier. In its current incarnation, the event is held in Tetouan. This was followed in 1982 with the first national festival of cinema, which was held in Rabat. In 2001, the first International Film Festival of Marrakech (FIFM) was also held in Marrakech.
Moroccan cuisine is considered one of the most diversified cuisines in the world. This is a result of the centuries-long interaction of Morocco with the outside world. The cuisine of Morocco is mainly a fusion of Moorish, European and Mediterranean cuisines.
Spices are used extensively in Moroccan cuisine. While spices have been imported to Morocco for thousands of years, many ingredients such as saffron from Tiliouine, mint and olives from Meknes, and oranges and lemons from Fez, are home-grown. Chicken is the most widely eaten meat in Morocco. The most commonly eaten red meat in Morocco is beef; lamb is preferred but is relatively expensive. The main Moroccan dish most people are familiar with is couscous, the old national delicacy.
Beef is the most commonly eaten red meat in Morocco, usually eaten in a Tagine with vegetables or legumes. Chicken is also very commonly used in Tagines, knowing that one of the most famous tagine is the Tagine of Chicken, potatoes and olives. Lamb is also consumed, but as Northwest African sheep breeds store most of their fat in their tails, Moroccan lamb does not have the pungent flavour that Western lamb and mutton have. Poultry is also very common, and the use of seafood is increasing in Moroccan food. In addition, there are dried salted meats and salted preserved meats such as kliia/khlia and "g'did" which are used to flavor tagines or used in "el ghraif" a folded savory Moroccan pancake.
Among the most famous Moroccan dishes are Couscous, Pastilla (also spelled Bsteeya or Bestilla), Tajine, Tanjia and Harira. Although the latter is a soup, it is considered a dish in itself and is served as such or with dates especially during the month of Ramadan. Pork consumption is forbidden in accordance with Sharia, religious laws of Islam.
A big part of the daily meal is bread. Bread in Morocco is principally from durum wheat semolina known as khobz. Bakeries are very common throughout Morocco and fresh bread is a staple in every city, town and village. The most common is whole grain coarse ground or white flour bread. There are also a number of flat breads and pulled unleavened pan-fried breads.
The most popular drink is "atai", green tea with mint leaves and other ingredients. Tea occupies a very important place in the culture of Morocco and is considered an art form. It is served not only at mealtimes but all through the day, and it is especially a drink of hospitality, commonly served whenever there are guests. It is served to guests, and it is impolite to refuse it.
Football is the country's most popular sport, popular among the urban youth in particular. In 1986, Morocco became the first Arab and African country to qualify for the second round of the FIFA World Cup. Morocco was originally scheduled to host the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, but refused to host the tournament on the scheduled dates because of fears over the ebola outbreak on the continent. Morocco made five attempts to host the FIFA World Cup but lost five times to the United States, France, Germany, South Africa and a Canada–Mexico–United States joint bid. In 2022, Morocco became the first African and Arab team to reach the semifinals and finished 4th in the tournament.
At the 1984 Olympic Games, two Moroccans won gold medals in track and field. Nawal El Moutawakel won in the 400 metres hurdles; she was the first woman from an Arab or Islamic country to win an Olympic gold medal. Saïd Aouita won the 5000 metres at the same games. Hicham El Guerrouj won gold medals for Morocco at the 2004 Summer Olympics in the 1500 metres and 5000 metres and holds several world records in the mile run.
Spectator sports in Morocco traditionally centered on the art of horsemanship until European sports—football, polo, swimming, and tennis—were introduced at the end of the 19th century. Tennis and golf have become popular. Several Moroccan professional players have competed in international competition, and the country fielded its first Davis Cup team in 1999. Morocco was one of the continent's pioneers in basketball as it established one of Africa's first competitive leagues. Rugby came to Morocco in the early 20th century, mainly by the French who occupied the country. As a result, Moroccan rugby was tied to the fortunes of France, during the first and second World War, with many Moroccan players going away to fight. Like many other Maghreb nations, Moroccan rugby tended to look to Europe for inspiration, rather than to the rest of Africa.
Kickboxing is also popular in Morocco. The Moroccan-Dutch Badr Hari, heavyweight kickboxer and martial artist, is a former K-1 heavyweight champion and K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 and 2009 finalist.
Religion
The religious affiliation in the country was estimated by the Pew Forum in 2010 as 99% Muslim, with all remaining groups accounting for less than 1% of the population. Of those affiliated with Islam, virtually all are Sunni Muslims, with Shia Muslims accounting for less than 0.1%. Despite most Moroccans being affiliated with Islam (~100% according to the Arab Barometer in 2018), almost 15% nonetheless describe themselves as non-religious according to a 2018 survey conducted for the BBC by the research network Arab Barometer. Another 2021 Arab Barometer survey found that 67.8% of Moroccans identified as religious, 29.1% as somewhat religious, and 3.1% as not religious. The 2015 Gallup International poll reported that 93% of Moroccans considered themselves to be religious.
Prior to independence, Morocco was home to more than 500,000 Christians (mostly of Spanish and French ancestry). Many Christian settlers left to Spain or France after the independence in 1956. The predominantly Catholic and Protestant foreign-resident Christian community consists of approximately 40,000 practising members. Most foreign resident Christians reside in the Casablanca, Tangier, and Rabat urban areas. Various local Christian leaders estimate that between 2005 and 2010 there are 5,000 citizen converted Christians (mostly ethnically Berber) who regularly attend "house" churches and live predominantly in the south. Some local Christian leaders estimate that there may be as many as 8,000 Christian citizens throughout the country, but many reportedly do not meet regularly due to fear of government surveillance and social persecution. The number of the Moroccans who converted to Christianity (most of them secret worshippers) are estimated between 8,000 and 50,000.
The most recent estimates put the size of the Casablanca Jewish community at about 2,500, and the Rabat and Marrakesh Jewish communities at about 100 members each. The remainder of the Jewish population is dispersed throughout the country. This population is mostly elderly, with a decreasing number of young people. The Baháʼí Faith community, located in urban areas, numbers 350 to 400 persons.
Demographics
Morocco has a population of around inhabitants ( est.). It is estimated that between 44% to 67% of residents are Arabs and between 31% to 41% are Berbers. A sizeable portion of the population is identified as Haratin and Gnawa (or Gnaoua), West African or mixed race descendants of slaves, and Moriscos, European Muslims expelled from Spain and Portugal in the 17th century.
According to the 2014 Morocco population census, there were around 84,000 immigrants in the country. Of these foreign-born residents, most were of French origin, followed by individuals mainly from various nations in West Africa and Algeria. There are also a number of foreign residents of Spanish origin. Some of them are descendants of colonial settlers, who primarily work for European multinational companies, while others are married to Moroccans or are retirees. Prior to independence, Morocco was home to half a million Europeans; who were mostly Christians. Also, prior to independence, Morocco was home to 250,000 Spaniards. Morocco's once prominent Jewish minority has decreased significantly since its peak of 265,000 in 1948, declining to around 2,500 today.
Morocco has a large diaspora, most of which is located in France, which has reportedly over one million Moroccans of up to the third generation. There are also large Moroccan communities in Spain (about 700,000 Moroccans), the Netherlands (360,000), and Belgium (300,000). Other large communities can be found in Italy, Canada, the United States, and Israel, where Moroccan Jews are thought to constitute the second biggest Jewish ethnic subgroup.
The religious affiliation in the country was estimated by the Pew Forum in 2010 as 99% Muslim, with all remaining groups accounting for less than 1% of the population. Of those affiliated with Islam, virtually all are Sunni Muslims, with Shia Muslims accounting for less than 0.1%. Despite most Moroccans being affiliated with Islam (~100% according to the Arab Barometer in 2018), almost 15% nonetheless describe themselves as non-religious according to a 2018 survey conducted for the BBC by the research network Arab Barometer. Another 2021 Arab Barometer survey found that 67.8% of Moroccans identified as religious, 29.1% as somewhat religious, and 3.1% as not religious. The 2015 Gallup International poll reported that 93% of Moroccans considered themselves to be religious.
Prior to independence, Morocco was home to more than 500,000 Christians (mostly of Spanish and French ancestry). Many Christian settlers left to Spain or France after the independence in 1956. The predominantly Catholic and Protestant foreign-resident Christian community consists of approximately 40,000 practising members. Most foreign resident Christians reside in the Casablanca, Tangier, and Rabat urban areas. Various local Christian leaders estimate that between 2005 and 2010 there are 5,000 citizen converted Christians (mostly ethnically Berber) who regularly attend "house" churches and live predominantly in the south. Some local Christian leaders estimate that there may be as many as 8,000 Christian citizens throughout the country, but many reportedly do not meet regularly due to fear of government surveillance and social persecution. The number of the Moroccans who converted to Christianity (most of them secret worshippers) are estimated between 8,000 and 50,000.
The most recent estimates put the size of the Casablanca Jewish community at about 2,500, and the Rabat and Marrakesh Jewish communities at about 100 members each. The remainder of the Jewish population is dispersed throughout the country. This population is mostly elderly, with a decreasing number of young people. The Baháʼí Faith community, located in urban areas, numbers 350 to 400 persons.
Morocco's official languages are Arabic and Berber. The country's distinctive group of Moroccan Arabic dialects is referred to as Darija. Approximately 89.8% of the whole population can communicate to some degree in Moroccan Arabic. The Berber language is spoken in three dialects (Tarifit, Tashelhit and Central Atlas Tamazight). In 2008, Frédéric Deroche estimated that there were 12 million Berber speakers, making up about 40% of the population. The 2004 population census reported that 28.1% of the population spoke Berber.
French is widely used in governmental institutions, media, mid-size and large companies, international commerce with French-speaking countries, and often in international diplomacy. French is taught as an obligatory language in all schools. In 2010, there were 10,366,000 French-speakers in Morocco, or about 32% of the population.
According to the 2004 census, 2.19 million Moroccans spoke a foreign language other than French. English, while far behind French in terms of number of speakers, is the first foreign language of choice, since French is obligatory, among educated youth and professionals.
According to Ethnologue, as of 2016, there are 1,536,590 individuals (or approximately 4.5% of the population) in Morocco who speak Spanish. Spanish is mostly spoken in northern Morocco and the former Spanish Sahara because Spain had previously occupied those areas. Meanwhile, a 2018 study by the Instituto Cervantes found 1.7 million Moroccans who were at least proficient in Spanish, placing Morocco as the country with the most Spanish speakers outside the Hispanophone world (unless the United States is also excluded from Spanish-speaking countries). A significant portion of northern Morocco receives Spanish media, television signal and radio airwaves, which reportedly facilitate competence in the language in the region.
After Morocco declared independence in 1956, French and Arabic became the main languages of administration and education, causing the role of Spanish to decline.
Education in Morocco is free and compulsory through primary school. The estimated literacy rate for the country in 2012 was 72%. In September 2006, UNESCO awarded Morocco amongst other countries such as Cuba, Pakistan, India and Turkey the "UNESCO 2006 Literacy Prize".
Morocco has more than four dozen universities, institutes of higher learning, and polytechnics dispersed at urban centres throughout the country. Its leading institutions include Mohammed V University in Rabat, the country's largest university, with branches in Casablanca and Fès; the Hassan II Agriculture and Veterinary Institute in Rabat, which conducts leading social science research in addition to its agricultural specialties; and Al-Akhawayn University in Ifrane, the first English-language university in Northwest Africa, inaugurated in 1995 with contributions from Saudi Arabia and the United States.
The al-Qarawiyin University, founded by Fatima al-Fihri in the city of Fez in 859 as a madrasa, is considered by some sources, including UNESCO, to be the "oldest university of the world". Morocco has also some of prestigious postgraduate schools, including: Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, l'Institut national des postes et télécommunications, École Nationale Supérieure d'Électricité et de Mecanique (ENSEM), EMI, ISCAE, INSEA, National School of Mineral Industry, École Hassania des Travaux Publics, Les Écoles nationales de commerce et de gestion, École supérieure de technologie de Casablanca.
Many efforts are made by countries around the world to address health issues and eradicate disease, Morocco included. Child health, maternal health, and diseases are all components of health and well-being. Morocco is a developing country that has made many strides to improve these categories. However, Morocco still has many health issues to improve on. According to research published, in 2005 only 16% of citizens in Morocco had health insurance or coverage. In data from the World Bank, Morocco experiences high infant mortality rates at 20 deaths per 1,000 births (2017) and high maternal mortality rates at 121 deaths per 100,000 births (2015).
The government of Morocco sets up surveillance systems within the already existing healthcare system to monitor and collect data. Mass education in hygiene is implemented in primary education schools which are free for residents of Morocco. In 2005, The government of Morocco approved two reforms to expand health insurance coverage. The first reform was a mandatory health insurance plan for public and private sector employees to expand coverage from 16 percent of the population to 30 percent. The second reform created a fund to cover services for the poor. Both reforms improved access to high-quality care. Infant mortality has improved significantly since 1960 when there were 144 deaths per 1,000 live births, in 2000, 42 per 1,000 live births, and now it is 20 per 1,000 live births. The country's under-five mortality rate dropped by 60% between 1990 and 2011.
According to data from the World Bank, the present mortality rate is still very high, over seven times higher than in neighboring country Spain. In 2014, Morocco adopted a national plan to increase progress on maternal and child health. The Moroccan Plan was started by the Moroccan Minister of Health, Dr. El Houssaine Louardi, and Dr. Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, on 13 November 2013 in Rabat. Morocco has made significant progress in reducing deaths among both children and mothers. Based on World Bank data, the nation's maternal mortality ratio fell by 67% between 1990 and 2010. In 2014, spending on healthcare accounted for 5.9% of the country's GDP. Since 2014, spending on healthcare as part of the GDP has decreased. However, health expenditure per capita (PPP) has steadily increased since 2000. In 2015, the Moroccan health expenditure was $435.29 per capita. In 2016 the life expectancy at birth was 74.3, or 73.3 for men and 75.4 for women, and there were 6.3 physicians and 8.9 nurses and midwives per 10,000 inhabitants. In 2017, Morocco ranked 16th out of 29 countries on the Global Youth Wellbeing Index. Moroccan youths experience a lower self-harm rate than the global index by an average of 4 encounters per year.
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