Morocco's population in 2006 was approximately 33.2 million. Compared to its North African neighbors, educational enrollment and literacy are below average, while health standards are above average. Over half the population of Morocco is under 20 years old and 70% of its twenty-six million people is under 30. The projected population size for 2025 is 42,000,000.

Average Annual Population Growth Rate:
Total: 1.9% vs. 2.5% for the rest of the Middle East & North Africa region

Percentage of Population:
Under Age 15, 2002: 34% vs. 35% for the rest of the Middle East & North Africa region
Over age 65, 2002: 4% vs. 4% for the rest of the Middle East & North Africa region

Average Total Fertility Rate:
1975-1980: 5.9 vs. 5.9 for the rest of the Middle East & North Africa region
2000-2005: 3.0 vs. 3.5 for the rest of the Middle East & North Africa region

Infant Mortality Rate:
2000-2005: 42 vs. 52 for the rest of the Middle East & North Africa region.

The original inhabitants of Morocco were succeeded by Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans. Three quarters of the people of modern Morocco are of Berber descent. The Berbers were conquered by the Arabs in the seventh and eighth centuries. The Arabs now make up the second largest ethnic group and are predominant in the cities.