Morocco · Africa
How many people die in Morocco every day?
In Morocco, about 548 people die every day, roughly one death every 3 minutes. That is about 200,000 deaths a year, 0.3% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 47th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 74 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
548
Deaths per year
200,000
Life expectancy
74 years
Population
37,840,044
Death rate
5.3 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Morocco
74
World avg
72.8
+1.2 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Morocco
5.3
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Morocco by time period
| Per hour | 23 |
| Per day | 548 |
| Per week | 3,836 |
| Per month | 16,667 |
| Per year | 200,000 |
What people die of in Morocco
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Morocco in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 25.3% of all deaths, about 146 a day. It was followed by stroke and hypertensive heart disease.
Deaths from breast cancer have increased about 4-fold since 2000, from about 1,008 to 4,005 a year. Deaths from pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections have fallen by 50% since 2000, from about 8,314 to 4,193 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 53,365 | 146 | 25.3% | +54% |
| 2 | Stroke | 37,654 | 103 | 17.9% | +45% |
| 3 | Hypertensive heart disease | 11,978 | 33 | 5.7% | +130% |
| 4 | Kidney diseases | 11,367 | 31 | 5.4% | +162% |
| 5 | Lung cancer | 6,836 | 19 | 3.2% | +186% |
| 6 | Road injuries | 6,126 | 17 | 2.9% | -13% |
| 7 | Diabetes | 4,799 | 13 | 2.3% | +156% |
| 8 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 4,193 | 11 | 2% | -50% |
| 9 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 4,094 | 11 | 1.9% | +13% |
| 10 | Breast cancer | 4,005 | 11 | 1.9% | +297% |
Deaths in Morocco since 2000
WHO estimates that about 210,762 people died in Morocco in 2023, 35% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 156,315 deaths |
| 2010 | 174,972 deaths |
| 2019 | 204,759 deaths |
| 2023 | 210,762 deaths |
Life expectancy in Morocco since 1950
A baby born in Morocco in 1950 could expect to live about 38.8 years. By 2023 that had risen to 75.3, a gain of 36.5 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 38.8 years |
| 1980 | 55.2 years |
| 2000 | 66.8 years |
| 2010 | 70.8 years |
| 2019 | 74.2 years |
| 2023 | 75.3 years |
Morocco compared with similar countries in Africa
Among the 50 countries in Africa on this site, Morocco ranks 4th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | 548 | 74 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Angola | 767 | 61.6 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Mozambique | 767 | 59.3 | HIV/AIDS |
| Ghana | 575 | 64.1 | Malaria |
| Algeria | 540 | 76.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Madagascar | 521 | 64.5 | Lower respiratory infections |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Morocco every day?
In Morocco, about 548 people die every day, or roughly one death every 3 minutes. That adds up to about 200,000 deaths a year, 0.3% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Morocco?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Morocco. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 25.3% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Morocco?
Life expectancy at birth in Morocco is 74 years, 1.2 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 95th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Morocco high?
Morocco records about 5.3 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.