Spain and Morocco
The neighbourhood between Spain and Morocco connects trade, borders and security, with Ceuta, Melilla and Western Sahara as politically sensitive issues. Institutional agreements coexist with crises directly affecting people and the border economy.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-06 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 22,757 M EUR | 2025 · Spanish trade |
| Goods: Spain to Morocco | 12,330.1 M EUR | 2025 · Spanish trade |
| Goods: Morocco to Spain | 10,426.9 M EUR | 2025 · Spanish trade |
| Services trade | 3,754 M EUR | 2024 · Eurostat |
| Export share: Spain to Morocco | 3.2 % | 2025 · Spanish trade |
| Export share: Morocco to Spain | 22.1 % | 2024 · Office des Changes |
| Investment stock: Spain in Morocco | 3,004 M EUR | end of 2024 · Eurostat |
| Investment stock: Morocco in Spain |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · Spain's State Secretariat for Trade · Calculated by adding Spanish exports and imports.
- Goods: Spain to Morocco
- 2025 · Spain's State Secretariat for Trade
- Goods: Morocco to Spain
- 2025 · Spain's State Secretariat for Trade
- Services trade
- 2024 · Eurostat / national statistical agency · Services exports and imports under BPM6, Spanish reporting. Credits 1715 + debits 2039 M EUR. This is neither the balance nor the sales of local affiliates. Source flags: no flag.
- Export share: Spain to Morocco
- 2025 · Spain's State Secretariat for Trade / Customs · Published share, rounded to one decimal place, of Spanish goods exports for January–December 2025. Spanish reporting. This is not the partner's share of imports. Its year may differ from other trade rows.
- Export share: Morocco to Spain
- 2024 · Office des Changes du Maroc · Share published by Office des Changes: Spain received 22.1% of Moroccan goods exports in 2024. This is not the 15.6% of Moroccan imports from Spain or a share calculated from Spanish Customs data.
- Investment stock: Spain in Morocco
- end of 2024 · Eurostat / national statistical agency · Year-end Spanish direct investment position in Morocco under BPM6 / the directional principle; immediate counterparty, all FDI activities and entities. Includes equity and intragroup debt; not an annual flow or investment by ultimate owner. Not to be confused with the overall net balance between both directions.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
Year-on-year inflation: different periods or frequencies; the two figures are not directly comparable.
| Indicator | Spain | Morocco |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 1.91 trillion USD2025 · WB | 182.59 billion USDIMF est.2025 · IMF |
| GDP per capita | 38,627.25 USD2025 · WB | 4,841.63 USDIMF est.2025 · IMF |
| GDP growth | 2.82 %2025 · WB | 4.6 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | 2.5 %2026-09-16 · BCE | 2.25 %2026-10-06 · BAM |
| Inflation · annual average | 2.7 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 0.7 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 4.9 %provisionalprovisionalYear-on-year · Sept. 2026 · INE | -0.3 %Year-on-year · Aug. 2026 · HCP |
| Unemployment | 10.38 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 9 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -2.5 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -3.5 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 100.4 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 67.1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | 2.94 %2025 · WB | -2.5 %2025 · WB |
| Population | 49,355,1432025 · WB | 37,712,000IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Area | 505,976 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 446,550 km²2023 · BM / FAO |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
For Morocco, GDP, population and GDP per capita are estimates from the same IMF (WEO) dataset for 2025. The per-capita figure published by the IMF is used, rather than a calculation of our own. The earlier World Bank series could not be reconciled and are not mixed with this dataset. Review: 2026-10-07. IMF data terms of use0
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDSpain: 2025 · World BankMorocco: 2025 · Nominal GDP in current USD · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personSpain: 2025 · World BankMorocco: 2025 · Nominal GDP per capita in current USD · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Spain: 2025 · World BankMorocco: 2025 · World Bank
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)Spain: 2026-09-16 · ECB deposit facility; shared euro-area rate · European Central BankMorocco: 2026-10-06 · Bank Al-Maghrib policy rate · Bank Al-Maghrib · Date of the latest observation in the official chart; not a new monetary-policy decision. · Alternative official source; verified 2026-10-06
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Spain: 2025 · Annual average change in CPI (%) · World BankMorocco: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World Bank
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedSpain: 2026-09 · Change in headline CPI from the same month of the previous year (%) · Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE) · Published: 2026-09-29 · provisional · Provisional · Advance indicator of headline CPI; final results pending. Not HICP (5.0%) or core inflation (3.1%). Provisional data or an official advance release; subject to revision.Morocco: 2026-08 · Change in headline CPI from the same month of the previous year (%) · Morocco's Haut-Commissariat au Plan · Published: 2026-09-22 · National headline CPI: a decrease of 0.3% compared with August 2025. The monthly increase of 0.8% is a different measure; a regional index is not used.
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionSpain: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.Morocco: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Spain: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Morocco: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Spain: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Morocco: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPSpain: 2025 · World BankMorocco: 2025 · World Bank
- Population
- PeopleSpain: 2025 · World BankMorocco: 2025 · Population from the WEO series; do not mix with the denominator from another source · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceSpain: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; territorial coverage as defined by the source · World Bank · FAOMorocco: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; source's territorial coverage · World Bank · FAO
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
Spain to Morocco
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Fuels | |
| Mechanical equipment and vehicles | |
| Electrical equipment and plastics |
Morocco to Spain
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Cable and textile products | |
| Cars | |
| Agricultural and fishery products |
Connections between people
The population of Moroccan nationality residing in Spain is a lasting social dimension of the neighbourhood. The census counts nationality, not everyone born in Morocco: those who acquired Spanish nationality may fall outside this figure. Nor is it the number of people who migrated during the year. National Statistics Institute (INE)
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Spain living in MoroccoSpanish nationality; PERE consular register | 14,997 | 1 January 2026 · INE / PERE |
| Residents from Morocco living in SpainNationality; resident census | 968,999 | 2025-01-01 · INE / Census |
| Study and training: Spain in Morocco | ||
| Study and training: Morocco in SpainInternational students; tertiary education (levels 5–8) | 5,151 | Academic year ending in 2024 · Eurostat |
| Academic stays: Spain in Morocco | ||
| Academic stays: Morocco in Spain | ||
| Travel: Spain to Morocco | ||
| Travel: Morocco to Spain |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
- Residents from Spain living in Morocco
- Includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Does not measure emigration during the year or people born in Spain. 1 January 2026 · INE / PERE
- Residents from Morocco living in Spain
- INE annual census. Foreign nationality, not country of birth or annual migration flow. 2025-01-01 · INE / Census
- Study and training: Morocco in Spain
- Enrolment of internationally mobile students, classified by country of origin under the reporting country's UOE definition. Not a general passport-based count; excludes short-term credit mobility. Does not include OPT. Source flag: no flag. Academic year ending in 2024 · Eurostat
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
Sahara and the diplomatic shift of 2022
In March 2022, Pedro Sánchez explained that Spain considered Morocco's 2007 autonomy proposal the most serious, credible and realistic basis for resolving the Western Sahara conflict. He linked the position to the United Nations framework and a solution accepted by the parties. This was an important step in rebuilding the relationship with Rabat; supporting a proposal does not mean the conflict is resolved. [5]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-06
A nearby trade partner
In 2025 Spain exported goods worth 12,330.1 million euros to Morocco and imported 10,426.9 million, according to Spain's official foreign-trade report. The sum of both flows is 22,757 million; it is this article's calculation using two figures from the same table. Trade provides context for the relationship, but does not capture services, investment or the entire border economy. [4]
Ceuta and Melilla: an everyday dimension
Managing cross-border movements can become a crisis involving security, reception and public services. In September 2026, Sánchez appeared to explain Spain's response to the Ceuta crisis. He reiterated Spanish sovereignty over both cities and stated that he had no solid evidence that Morocco had organised the episode; the investigation remained open. [3]
For people living or working near the border, these decisions affect mobility and economic activity. Migrants should not be reduced to an instrument of interstate dispute: the humanitarian dimension and political responsibility are distinct matters. [3]
What institutional cooperation includes
The high-level meeting of December 2025 concluded with fourteen agreements. The agenda included cybersecurity, the energy transition, artificial intelligence and diplomatic training. Cooperation is distributed across ministries and agencies; the agreements allow follow-up, but their signing does not by itself indicate the degree of implementation of each project. [1]
The 2030 World Cup and judicial cooperation
Spain, Morocco and Portugal signed a memorandum in April 2026 to strengthen judicial cooperation between 2026 and 2030. Organising the World Cup requires transnational coordination. In this area, there is a practical need to collaborate on procedures and responses to problems affecting more than one jurisdiction. [2]
Milestones and consequences
- 2022-03-30
New position on Sahara
Spanish support for Morocco's autonomy proposal influences the diplomatic rapprochement; it does not mean the Sahara conflict is resolved. [5]
- 2025-12-04
High-level meeting
Signing fourteen agreements expands a ministerial agenda; signing and actual implementation are different stages. [1]
- 2026-04-10
Judicial memorandum
Coordination between the three World Cup hosts. [2]
- 2026-09-03
Address on Ceuta
Spain's response to the border crisis. [3]
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
The figures concern goods, in euros and from Spanish reporting. The bilateral total is calculated, not cited as a separately published indicator. Positions on Sahara and the Ceuta crisis are attributed to the Spanish government.
- La Moncloa. Spain and Morocco consolidate a more modern, global and cross-cutting relationship with the signing of fourteen cooperation agreements | 04/12/2025 [News]
La Moncloa · Institutional source · Document: 2025-12-04 · Accessed: 2026-10-06
- La Moncloa. Spain, Portugal and Morocco sign a Memorandum of Understanding on judicial cooperation in the run-up to the 2030 World Cup | 10/04/2026 [News]
La Moncloa · Institutional source · Document: 2026-04-10 · Accessed: 2026-10-06
- La Moncloa. Pedro Sánchez: "Unity and institutional loyalty are the key to Ceuta overcoming this crisis and emerging from it stronger than ever" | 03/09/2026 [News]
La Moncloa · Institutional source · Document: 2026-09-03 · Accessed: 2026-10-06
- Foreign trade: country table, January–December 2025
Spain's State Secretariat for Trade · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-06
- Address on the new phase with Morocco
La Moncloa · Institutional source · Document: 2022-03-30 · Accessed: 2026-10-06
Additional sources on products and human connections
- Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Profile accessed in October 2026; sectors without individual years · Accessed: 2026-10-06 · Key bilateral sectors, page 5; direct extraction from the official PDF.
- National Statistics Institute (INE)
2025-01-01 · Accessed: 2026-10-06 · Foreign population by nationality, not country of birth.