History of Morocco in Timeline

Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a North African country in the Maghreb region with coastlines on the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. It borders Algeria to the east and the disputed Western Sahara to the south. Morocco also claims several Spanish exclaves. The population is around 37 million, with Islam as the official religion and Arabic and Berber as official languages. French and Moroccan Arabic are also widely spoken. Moroccan culture is a blend of Arab, Berber, African, and European influences. Rabat is the capital, while Casablanca is the largest city.

1900: Birth of Mohammed al-Mokhtar Soussi

Mohammed al-Mokhtar Soussi, a writer who played an important role in the transition to independence, was born in 1900.

1904: France and Spain Carved Zones of Influence

In 1904, France and Spain carved out zones of influence in Morocco.

1905: Crisis Loomed

In 1905, recognition by the United Kingdom of France's sphere of influence provoked a strong reaction from the German Empire, and a crisis loomed.

1906: Algeciras Conference

In 1906, the matter was resolved at the Algeciras Conference.

1910: Birth of Allal al-Fassi

Allal al-Fassi, a writer who played an important role in the transition to independence, was born in 1910.

1911: Agadir Crisis

The Agadir Crisis of 1911 increased tensions between European powers.

1912: Start of the Protectorate

In 1912 Morocco became a French and Spanish protectorate, allowing Moroccan intellectuals to exchange literary works freely with Europe and other Arabic literature.

1912: Division of Morocco into Protectorates

In 1912, France and Spain divided Morocco into respective protectorates, with an international zone in Tangier.

1912: Treaty of Fez

In 1912, the Treaty of Fez made Morocco a protectorate of France, and triggered the 1912 Fez riots. Spain continued to operate its coastal protectorate.

1919: Birth of Abdelkrim Ghallab

Abdelkrim Ghallab, a writer who played an important role in the transition to independence, was born in 1919.

August 1921: Heavy Spanish Losses

In August 1921, The Spanish lost more than 13,000 soldiers at Annual.

1922: Last Barbary lion shot in the Atlas Mountains

In 1922, the last Barbary lion in the wild was shot in the Atlas Mountains, leading to its extinction.

1925: Abolition of Slavery

In 1925, the institution of slavery was abolished in Morocco.

1926: Uprising in the Rif Mountains

Between 1921 and 1926, an uprising in the Rif Mountains, led by Abd el-Krim, led to the establishment of the Republic of the Rif.

1927: Suppression of the Riffi

In 1927, the Riffi were eventually suppressed by the Franco-Spanish military.

1943: Founding of Istiqlal Party

In 1943, the Istiqlal Party (Independence Party) was founded to press for independence, with discreet US support.

1944: Establishment of Moroccan Cinematographic Center

In 1944, the Moroccan Cinematographic Centre (CCM), the nation's film regulatory agency, was established, and studios were opened in Rabat.

1948: Jewish Population Peak

In 1948, Morocco's Jewish minority peaked at 265,000.

1948: Jewish Community Before the State of Israel

In 1948, before the founding of the State of Israel, Morocco had the largest Jewish community in the Muslim world, with approximately 265,000 Jews residing in the country.

1952: Othello wins Palme d'Or

In 1952, Orson Welles' "Othello" won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival under the Moroccan flag.

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1953: Exile of Sultan Mohammed V

In 1953, France exiled Sultan Mohammed V to Madagascar, sparking opposition to the French and Spanish protectorates.

1955: Return of Mohammed V

In 1955, France allowed Mohammed V to return, leading to negotiations for Moroccan independence.

1955: Death of Mohammed Ben Brahim

In 1955, Mohammed Ben Brahim, an important representative of the first generation of Moroccan writers, died.

March 1956: Morocco Regained Independence

In March 1956, Morocco regained its independence from France as the Kingdom of Morocco.

1956: Morocco Regained Independence

In 1956, Morocco regained its independence and reunified after intermittent riots and revolts against colonial rule.

1956: Independence and Language Policies

In 1956, after Morocco declared independence, French and Arabic became the main languages of administration and education.

1956: Morocco's Independence and Christian Community

In 1956, after Morocco's independence, many Christian settlers, primarily of Spanish and French ancestry, left for Spain or France. Despite this emigration, a foreign-resident Christian community of approximately 40,000 practicing members remained, mainly in urban areas. The Moroccan Association of Human Rights estimated 25,000 Christian citizens were also present in 1956.

1956: End of the Protectorate

Morocco's time as a French and Spanish protectorate ended in 1956, after which Moroccan intellectuals had the opportunity to exchange and produce literary works freely with contact from other Arabic literature and Europe.

1956: Founding of the Moroccan National Theatre

The Moroccan National Theatre was founded in 1956, and offers regular productions of Moroccan and French dramatic works.

1957: Morocco receives aid from the US.

Between 1957 and 1963, Morocco received more than $400 million in American aid.

1957: Mohammed Became King

In 1957, Sultan Mohammed became King.

1960: Population Size

In 1960, Morocco's population was 11.6 million.

1960: Infant Mortality Rate in 1960

In 1960, the infant mortality rate in Morocco was 144 deaths per 1,000 live births.

1960: Water Resource Availability

In 1960, the per capita availability of renewable water resources was 2,560 m3 per person annually.

March 1961: Hassan II Became King

Upon the death of Mohammed V, Hassan II became King of Morocco on 3 March 1961.

1961: Start of Hassan II's rule

Starting in the early 1960s, under the leadership of Hassan II, Morocco experienced a period with one of the worst human rights records in both Africa and the world.

1963: Morocco receives aid from the US.

Between 1957 and 1963, Morocco received more than $400 million in American aid.

1963: The Sand War

In 1963, the Sand War was fought between Algerian and Moroccan troops over Moroccan claims to parts of Algerian territory.

1963: Death of Mohammed al-Mokhtar Soussi

Mohammed al-Mokhtar Soussi, a writer who played an important role in the transition to independence, died in 1963.

1963: First General Elections

Morocco held its first general elections in 1963.

February 1964: Peace Agreement

A formal peace agreement was signed in February 1964; however, relations remained strained between the two countries following the conflict.

1965: State of Emergency Declared

In 1965, Hassan declared a state of emergency and suspended parliament.

1965: King dissolves Parliament and rules by decree

In 1965, the King dissolved Parliament, suspended the constitution, called for new elections, or ruled by decree.

1966: Morocco fifth-largest recipient of US agricultural assistance

By 1966, Morocco had become the fifth-largest recipient of US agricultural assistance.

1968: First Mediterranean Film Festival

In 1968, the first Mediterranean Film Festival was held in Tangier, later held in Tetouan.

1969: Return of Ifni

In 1969, the Spanish enclave of Ifni in the south was returned to Morocco.

1971: Failed Attempt to Depose the King

In 1971, there was a failed attempt to depose the king and establish a republic.

1972: Second Failed Attempt to Depose the King

In 1972, there was a second failed attempt to depose the king and establish a republic.

1973: Formation of Polisario Movement

In 1973, the Polisario movement was formed, with the aim of establishing an independent state in the Spanish Sahara.

1974: Death of Allal al-Fassi

Allal al-Fassi, a writer who played an important role in the transition to independence, died in 1974.

November 1975: The Green March

On 6 November 1975, King Hassan asked for volunteers to cross into the Spanish Sahara. Some 350,000 civilians were reported as being involved in the "Green March".

1975: Guerrilla War Broke Out in Western Sahara

In 1975, after Spain agreed to decolonise Western Sahara and cede its control to Morocco and Mauritania, a guerrilla war broke out between those powers and local inhabitants.

1975: Annexation of Western Sahara

The Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony that was annexed by Morocco in 1975 during the Green March.

1976: Western Sahara War begins

The Western Sahara War saw the Polisario Front battling both Morocco and Mauritania beginning in 1976.

1979: Mauritania Relinquished Claim to Western Sahara

In 1979, Mauritania relinquished its claim to the area of Western Sahara, but the war continued.

1980: Yves Saint-Laurent Buys Majorelle Garden

In 1980, the Majorelle botanical garden in Marrakech was purchased by fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé, becoming a popular tourist attraction.

1982: Polisario Claimed Casualties

Between 1982 and 1985 Polisario claimed to have killed more than 5,000 Moroccan soldiers .

1982: Admission of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic triggers Moroccan withdrawal

In 1982, the African Union admitted the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

1982: First National Festival of Cinema

In 1982, the first national festival of cinema was held in Rabat.

1983: Cancellation of Elections

In 1983, Hassan cancelled planned elections amid political unrest and economic crisis.

1984: Olympic Gold Medals

At the 1984 Olympic Games, Nawal El Moutawakel won gold in the 400 metres hurdles, and Saïd Aouita won the 5000 metres for Morocco.

1984: Morocco Left Organisation of African Unity

In 1984, Morocco left the Organisation of African Unity in protest at the SADR's admission to the body.

1984: Morocco withdraws from the African Union

In 1984, Morocco withdrew from the African Union after it admitted the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in 1982.

1985: Polisario Claimed Casualties

Between 1982 and 1985 Polisario claimed to have killed more than 5,000 Moroccan soldiers .

1986: Morocco Qualifies for FIFA World Cup Second Round

In 1986, Morocco became the first Arab and African country to qualify for the second round of the FIFA World Cup.

1988: Diplomatic Relations Restored

In 1988, Diplomatic relations with Algeria were restored.

1988: Morocco Hosts Africa Cup of Nations

Morocco hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1988.

1990: Maternal Mortality Reduction

Based on World Bank data, between 1990 and 2010, Morocco's maternal mortality ratio fell by 67%.

1990: Under-Five Mortality Rate

Between 1990 and 2011, Morocco's under-five mortality rate dropped by 60%.

1991: Ceasefire in Western Sahara War

A ceasefire was reached in 1991 in the Western Sahara War between the Polisario Front, Morocco, and Mauritania.

1991: UN-Monitored Ceasefire

In 1991, a UN-monitored ceasefire began in Western Sahara, but the territory's status remains undecided and ceasefire violations are reported.

1991: Ceasefire Agreement in Western Sahara

In 1991, a ceasefire agreement was reached in Western Sahara, but the issue of sovereignty remained unresolved.

1992: Expansion of Parliament's powers

In 1992, the powers of the Moroccan Parliament were expanded to include budgetary matters, approving bills, questioning ministers.

1993: Privatization policy initiated

Since 1993, Morocco has followed a policy of privatisation of certain economic sectors which used to be in the hands of the government.

1994: National Liquid Sanitation Master Plan (SNDAL) Started

According to a study by the National Liquid Sanitation Master Plan (SNDAL) that started in 1994, only 15 of their 63 treatment plants are operational, and out of approximately 500 million cubic meters of wastewater generated annually, 95% is discharged untreated into natural water bodies.

1994: Border Closure

Algeria borders Morocco to the east and southeast, though the border between the two countries has been closed since 1994.

1995: Inauguration of Al-Akhawayn University

In 1995, Al-Akhawayn University in Ifrane, the first English-language university in Northwest Africa, was inaugurated with contributions from Saudi Arabia and the United States.

1996: Further expansion of Parliament's powers

In 1996, the powers of the Moroccan Parliament were further expanded to include budgetary matters, approving bills, questioning ministers.

1996: Bicameral legislature established

Since the constitutional reform of 1996, Morocco has had a bicameral legislature consisting of two chambers: The Assembly of Representatives of Morocco.

1996: Constitution allows King to terminate minister tenure and dissolve Parliament

The constitution of 1996 theoretically allowed the king to terminate the tenure of any minister, and after consultation with the heads of the higher and lower Assemblies, to dissolve the Parliament, suspend the constitution, call for new elections, or rule by decree.

March 1998: Coalition government formed

Following the March 1998 elections, a coalition government headed by opposition socialist leader Abderrahmane Youssoufi was formed, marking the first time a government was primarily drawn from opposition parties.

1999: End of Hassan II's rule

Government repression of political dissent dropped sharply in the mid-1990s, ending with the reign of Hassan II in 1999.

1999: Death of King Hassan II

King Hassan II died in 1999 and was succeeded by his son, Mohammed VI.

1999: First Davis Cup Team

Morocco fielded its first Davis Cup team in 1999.

2000: Start of steady economic growth

From 2000 to 2007, Morocco experienced steady yearly economic growth in the region of 4–5%.

2000: Infant Mortality Rate in 2000

In 2000, the infant mortality rate in Morocco was 42 deaths per 1,000 live births.

2000: Healthcare Expenditure Per Capita

Since 2000, health expenditure per capita (PPP) has steadily increased in Morocco.

2001: First International Film Festival of Marrakech

In 2001, the first International Film Festival of Marrakech (FIFM) was held in Marrakech.

October 2002: End of the coalition government

The coalition government formed in March 1998, which was primarily drawn from opposition parties, was in power until October 2002.

2002: Resolution Over Disputed Island

In 2002, Morocco and Spain agreed to a US-brokered resolution over the disputed island of Perejil.

2002: Dispute with Spain over Perejil island

In 2002, a dispute with Spain arose over the small island of Perejil, drawing attention to the sovereignty of Melilla and Ceuta.

2002: Cannabis Contribution to GDP

In 2002, according to the UN World Drugs Report published in 2004, cultivation and transformation of cannabis represented 0.57% of the national GDP of Morocco.

2002: Visit to the Western Sahara

Mohammed VI paid a controversial visit to the Western Sahara in 2002.

2003: Moroccan economy grows

From 2003 to 2007 Morocco had 4.9% year-on-year growth.

2003: Investment Programme

From 2003–2017, an investment programme of about MAD 15 billion was made to cover the centres managed by ONEP.

2003: Casablanca bombings

In 2003, the Casablanca bombings resulted in 45 fatalities, marking a rare instance of political violence.

2004: Foreign Language Speakers

According to the 2004 census, 2.19 million Moroccans spoke a foreign language other than French.

2004: Olympic Gold Medals for El Guerrouj

Hicham El Guerrouj won gold medals for Morocco at the 2004 Summer Olympics in the 1500 metres and 5000 metres.

2004: Cannabis Contribution to GDP

In 2004, according to the UN World Drugs Report, cultivation and transformation of cannabis represented 0.57% of the national GDP of Morocco in 2002.

2004: Morocco granted major non-NATO ally status by US

In 2004, the George W. Bush administration granted Morocco the status of major non-NATO ally.

2005: Truth Commission Report

A truth commission set up in 2005 investigated human rights abuses during Hassan II's reign, confirming nearly 10,000 cases.

2005: Health Insurance Coverage

According to research published in 2005, only 16% of citizens in Morocco had health insurance or coverage.

2005: National Sanitation Programme Approved

In 2005, a National Sanitation Programme was approved, aiming to treat 60% of collected wastewater and connect 80% of urban households to sewers by 2020.

2005: Health Insurance Reforms Approved

In 2005, the government of Morocco approved two reforms to expand health insurance coverage: a mandatory health insurance plan for public and private sector employees and a fund to cover services for the poor.

2005: First Technopark Established

Since the first technopark was established in Rabat in 2005, start-ups and SMEs specialising in ICTs, green technologies and cultural industries were hosted.

2005: Migrants Stormed Borders

There were renewed tensions in 2005, as dozens of African migrants stormed the borders of the Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta.

September 2006: UNESCO Literacy Prize

In September 2006, UNESCO awarded Morocco the "UNESCO 2006 Literacy Prize".

2006: Cannabis Resin Origin

According to a French Ministry of the Interior 2006 report, 80% of the cannabis resin (hashish) consumed in Europe comes from the Rif region in Morocco.

2006: Growth of Adventure Tourism

As of 2006, activity and adventure tourism in the Atlas and Rif Mountains are the fastest growth area in Moroccan tourism, offering opportunities for walking and trekking.

2006: No UN member state recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara

As of 2006, no UN member state had recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.

2006: Death of Abdelkrim Ghallab

In 2006, Abdelkrim Ghallab, a writer who played an important role in the transition to independence, died.

2006: Spanish Premier Visited Enclaves

In 2006, the Spanish Premier Zapatero visited Spanish enclaves. He was the first Spanish leader in 25 years to make an official visit to the territories.

April 2007: Autonomous status project presented to UN Security Council

In mid-April 2007, Morocco presented a project for autonomous status for the Western Sahara region to the United Nations Security Council.

2007: Steady economic growth

From 2000 to 2007, Morocco experienced steady yearly economic growth in the region of 4–5%.

2007: Autonomy Blueprint Unveiled

In 2007, Morocco unveiled an autonomy blueprint for Western Sahara to the United Nations.

2008: Science and Technology Investment

In 2008, Morocco's investment in science and technology was US$620,000.

2008: Coal Provides Electricity

In 2008, coal provided about 56% of Morocco's electricity supply.

2008: Badr Hari K-1 World Grand Prix Finalist

The Moroccan-Dutch Badr Hari was a K-1 World Grand Prix finalist in 2008.

May 2009: Investment in Science and Technology

In May 2009, Morocco's prime minister, Abbas El Fassi, announced that investment in science and technology would rise from US$620,000 in 2008 to US$8.5 million in 2009 to finance laboratories, training, and a scholarship program.

June 2009: Launch of Moroccan Innovation Strategy

In June 2009, the Moroccan Innovation Strategy was launched at the country's first National Innovation Summit by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Investment and the Digital Economy.

2009: Unregulated trade of animals and plants

Starting in 2009, the trade of animals and plants for food, pets, medicinal purposes, souvenirs and photo props, became common across Morocco, despite laws making much of it illegal.

2009: Badr Hari K-1 World Grand Prix Finalist

The Moroccan-Dutch Badr Hari was a K-1 World Grand Prix finalist in 2009.

2010: Maternal Mortality Ratio Decline

Between 1990 and 2010, the nation's maternal mortality ratio in Morocco fell by 67%.

2010: Government Invests in Infrastructure

From 2010, the Moroccan government invested more than $15 billion in upgrading its basic infrastructure to meet growing domestic demand.

2010: Protest Camp Stormed

In 2010, security forces stormed a protest camp in the Western Sahara, triggering violent demonstrations in the regional capital El Aaiún.

2010: Launch of Vision 2020

In 2010, the Moroccan government launched its Vision 2020, a plan aiming to make Morocco one of the top 20 tourist destinations globally and to double the annual number of international arrivals to 20 million by 2020.

2010: Religious Affiliation

In 2010, the Pew Forum estimated the religious affiliation in Morocco as 99% Muslim, with all remaining groups accounting for less than 1% of the population.

2010: R&D Investment

In 2010, the share of GDP devoted to research and development (R&D) was 0.73%.

2010: French Speakers in Morocco

In 2010, there were 10,366,000 French-speakers in Morocco, which was about 32% of the population.

July 2011: Referendum on Reformed Constitution

In July 2011, the King won a landslide victory in a referendum on a reformed constitution he had proposed to placate the Arab Spring protests.

2011: 60 tons of eel exported to the Far East

During the period of 2009 to 2011, Morocco exported especially large volumes of eel – 60 tons – to the Far East.

2011: Constitutional reforms

In 2011, constitutional reforms in Morocco resulted in the King retaining less executive powers, while the powers of the prime minister were enlarged.

2011: Creation of Moroccan Club of Innovation

In 2011, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and New Technologies created a Moroccan Club of Innovation, in partnership with the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property, to help develop innovative projects.

2011: Parliament's powers expanded

In 2011, the powers of the Moroccan Parliament were expanded to include budgetary matters, approving bills, questioning ministers, and establishing ad hoc commissions of inquiry to investigate the government's actions.

2011: Under-Five Mortality Rate Improvement

Morocco's under-five mortality rate dropped by 60% between 1990 and 2011.

May 2012: Trade Union Rally in Casablanca

In May 2012, hundreds took part in a trade union rally in Casablanca. Participants accused the government of failing to deliver on reforms.

2012: World Bank forecasts growth for Morocco

For 2012, the World Bank forecast a rate of 4% growth for Morocco.

2012: Patent Applications by Inventors

In 2012, Moroccan inventors applied for 197 patents, up from 152 two years earlier.

2012: Forecasted Rise in Energy Requirements

In 2012, forecasts indicated that energy requirements in Morocco would rise 6% per year between 2012 and 2050.

2012: Identification of Comparative Advantage Sectors

In 2012, the Hassan II Academy of Sciences and Technologies identified a number of sectors where Morocco has a comparative advantage and skilled human capital, including mining, fisheries, food chemistry and new technologies.

2012: Literacy Rate

In 2012, the estimated literacy rate for Morocco was 72%.

November 2013: Launch of National Plan for Maternal and Child Health

On November 13, 2013, the Moroccan Minister of Health, El Houssaine Louardi, and Ala Alwan, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, started the Moroccan Plan in Rabat to increase progress on maternal and child health.

2013: World Bank forecasts growth for Morocco

For 2013, the World Bank forecast a rate of 4.2% growth for Morocco.

2014: Population Census

According to the 2014 Morocco population census, there were around 84,000 immigrants in the country, with most being of French origin.

2014: Innovation Strategy Target Year

By 2014, the Moroccan Innovation Strategy fixed the target of producing 1,000 Moroccan patents and creating 200 innovative start-ups.

2014: Adoption of National Plan

In 2014, Morocco adopted a national plan to increase progress on maternal and child health.

2014: Construction of High-Speed Railway Begins

In 2014, Morocco began construction of Africa's first high-speed railway system, linking Tangier and Casablanca.

2014: Healthcare Spending as Percentage of GDP

In 2014, spending on healthcare accounted for 5.9% of Morocco's GDP.

May 2015: Vision for Education in Morocco Presented

On 20 May 2015, the Higher Council for Education, Training and Scientific Research presented a report to the king offering a Vision for Education in Morocco 2015–2030 advocating for egalitarian education.

2015: Maternal Mortality Rate

In 2015, Morocco experienced high maternal mortality rates at 121 deaths per 100,000 births, according to the World Bank.

2015: Moroccan Health Expenditure Per Capita

In 2015, the Moroccan health expenditure was $435.29 per capita.

2015: Morocco Refuses to Host Africa Cup of Nations

Morocco was originally scheduled to host the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations but refused due to fears over the Ebola outbreak.

2015: Religious Identity

The 2015 Gallup International poll reported that 93% of Moroccans considered themselves to be religious.

2015: Government Invests in Infrastructure

Until 2015, the Moroccan government invested more than $15 billion in upgrading its basic infrastructure to meet growing domestic demand.

2016: Restrictions on expression, association, and assembly

According to a Human Rights Watch annual report in 2016, Moroccan authorities restricted the rights to peaceful expression, association and assembly through several laws.

2016: Spanish Speakers in Morocco

As of 2016, Ethnologue reported that there were 1,536,590 individuals, approximately 4.5% of the population, in Morocco who spoke Spanish.

2016: Life Expectancy and Healthcare Professionals

In 2016, the life expectancy at birth in Morocco was 74.3 years (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.

2017: Morocco rejoins the AU

In 2017, Morocco rejoined the African Union.

2017: Infant Mortality Rate

In 2017, data from the World Bank indicated that Morocco experienced high infant mortality rates at 20 deaths per 1,000 births.

2017: Investment Programme

Until 2017, an investment programme of about MAD 15 billion was made to cover the centres managed by ONEP from 2003–2017.

2018: Spanish Proficiency Study

A 2018 study by the Instituto Cervantes found 1.7 million Moroccans who were at least proficient in Spanish, making Morocco the country with the most Spanish speakers outside the Hispanophone world.

2018: Self-Identified Non-Religious

According to a 2018 survey conducted by the research network Arab Barometer, nearly 15% of Moroccans describe themselves as non-religious.

2018: Inauguration of High-Speed Railway

In 2018, the high-speed railway system linking Tangier and Casablanca was inaugurated by the King, following over a decade of planning and construction by Moroccan national railway company Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF).

2019: Patent Filing Growth

According to Office Marocain de la Propriété Industrielle et Commerciale, patent filing in Morocco grew by 167% during the period 2015–2019.

2019: Morocco's Infrastructure Ranking

According to the Global Competitiveness Report of 2019, Morocco ranked 32nd in the world in terms of Roads, 16th in Sea, 45th in Air and 64th in Railways, giving it the best infrastructure rankings in the African continent.

2019: Decline in agricultural workers

Between 2000 and 2019, the share of Moroccan workers in agriculture declined, while those that are in industry increased.

2019: Morocco ranked second in preparedness by Climate Change Performance Index

In 2019, Morocco was ranked second in preparedness behind Sweden in the Climate Change Performance Index.

November 2020: Polisario Front ends ceasefire with Morocco

In November 2020, Brahim Ghali, leader of the Polisario Front and the Sahrawi president, unilaterally ended a 29-year-old ceasefire agreement with Morocco.

December 2020: Morocco pursues military cooperation with Israel

In December 2020, Morocco had started to pursue military cooperation with Israel from a normalization agreement.

December 2020: Israel-Morocco Normalisation Agreement Announced

On 10 December 2020, the Israel–Morocco normalisation agreement was announced, and Morocco announced its intention to resume diplomatic relations with Israel.

2020: Water Resource Availability

Between 1960 and 2020, the per capita availability of renewable water resources went from 2,560 m3 to about 620 m3 per person annually.

2020: Vision 2020 Target Year

By 2020, the Moroccan government's Vision 2020 aimed to double the annual number of international arrivals to 20 million.

2020: Sanitation Programme Target Year

By 2020, the National Sanitation Programme aimed to treat 60% of collected wastewater and connect 80% of urban households to sewers.

2020: Global Innovation Index Ranking

In 2020 Morocco was ranked 75th in the Global Innovation Index.

2020: US backs Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara

In 2020, the United States under the Trump administration became the first Western country to back Morocco's contested sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara region, conditional on Morocco normalizing relations with Israel.

August 2021: Algeria severs diplomatic relations with Morocco

In August 2021, Algeria severed diplomatic relations with Morocco, accusing Rabat of supporting a terrorist organisation.

August 2021: Algeria Cut Diplomatic Relations

On 24 August 2021, neighbouring Algeria cut diplomatic relations with Morocco, accusing Morocco of supporting a separatist group and hostile actions against Algeria.

September 2021: Parliamentary elections held

On September 8, 2021, parliamentary elections were held in Morocco with an estimated voter turnout of 50.35% of registered voters.

November 2021: Amnesty International Report

Amnesty International found that two phones of Sahraoui human rights defender Aminatou Haidar were infected in November 2021.

2021: Religious Identification

Another 2021 Arab Barometer survey found that 67.8% of Moroccans identified as religious, 29.1% as somewhat religious, and 3.1% as non religious.

2021: Population Estimate

In 2021, the estimated population of Morocco was around 37,076,584 inhabitants.

April 2022: Launch of Nor II Solar Energy Plant Phase One

On April 17, 2022, the Moroccan agency for solar energy (Masen) and the ministry of energy transition and sustainable development announced the launch of phase one of the mega project Nor II solar energy plant, a multi-site solar energy project with a total capacity set at 400 megawatts (MN).

2022: Morocco's ranking on the Economist Democracy Index

According to the 2022 Economist Democracy Index, Morocco is ruled under a hybrid regime, scoring #3 in the Middle East and North Africa, and #95 in the world.

2022: Jewish Population

By 2022, Morocco's once prominent Jewish minority has significantly decreased since its peak of 265,000 in 1948, declining to around 3,500.

2022: Morocco Reaches FIFA World Cup Semifinals

In 2022, Morocco became the first African and Arab team to reach the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup, finishing 4th in the tournament.

2022: Infant Mortality Rate in 2022

In 2022, the infant mortality rate in Morocco was 15 deaths per 1,000 live births.

2022: Internet Users in Morocco

In 2022, the number of internet users in Morocco reached around 31.6 million.

2022: Tourism in Morocco Surpasses Visitor Average

In 2022, tourism in Morocco surpassed the average number of visitors recorded in the 2010s.

August 2023: Moroccan resident sentenced for criticizing King on Facebook

In August 2023, a Moroccan resident of Qatar was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for criticizing the King's policy decisions on Facebook.

September 2023: Earthquake Hit Morocco

On 8 September 2023, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Morocco killing more than 2,800 people and injuring thousands.

October 2023: Agreement Criticism

The Israel-Morocco agreement was met with criticism due to the October 2023 Gaza war.

2023: All-Time High in Tourist Arrivals

In 2023, Morocco reached an all-time high with 14.5 million international tourist arrivals and MAD 104.7 billion in receipts.

2023: Morocco's "difficult" ranking on the World Press Freedom Index

In 2023, Morocco received a "difficult" ranking on the World Press Freedom Index.

January 2024: Internet Users and Penetration Rate

As of January 2024, Morocco had approximately 34.5 million internet users, with a penetration rate of about 90.7%.

November 2024: Tourism Contributes to GDP

In November 2024, Morocco had nearly 16 million tourists, contributing to 7% of its GDP.

2024: Literacy in Arabic and Berber

According to the 2024 census, 99.2% of the literate population of Morocco could read and write in Arabic, while 1.5% could read and write in Berber. The census also reported that 80.6% of Moroccans consider Arabic to be their native language, while 18.9% regard any of the various Berber languages as their mother tongue in 2024.

2024: Gender Distribution

In 2024, 49.7% of Morocco's population is female, while 50.3% is male.

2024: Global Innovation Index Ranking

In 2024, Morocco was ranked 66th in the Global Innovation Index, an increase in ranking from 2020 at 75th.

2024: Life Expectancy

In 2024, according to the World Factbook, the life expectancy for Morocco is 74.2 years.

2025: R&D Investment

By 2025, the share of GDP devoted to research and development (R&D) planned to increase to 1.5%.

2025: Morocco to Host Africa Cup of Nations

Morocco will host the Africa Cup of Nations again in 2025 after Guinea was stripped of hosting rights.

2030: R&D Investment Target Year

By 2030, The report advocated making education egalitarian and, thus, accessible to the greatest number. The report also recommended developing an integrated national innovation system which would be financed by gradually increasing the share of GDP devoted to research and development (R&D) to 2%.

2030: Infrastructure Expansion Goals

By 2030, the Moroccan Ministry of Equipment, Transport and Logistics aims to build an additional 3,380 kilometers of expressway and 2,100 kilometers of highway.