Smartphones Connect Urban Morocco, Rural Areas Follow Closely

The number of smartphones in Morocco has achieved a notable achievement, with 100% of urban households now having access, while rural region...

The number of smartphones in Morocco has achieved a notable achievement, with 100% of urban households now having access, while rural regions are rapidly following suit, as reported by the latest study from the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT). With the increase in digital usage, the nation is also experiencing substantial progress in internet access and computer ownership, although the growing online activity among children is causing worries for parents.

Among the most commonly used information and communication technologies (ICT) in Morocco, the smartphone is now present in 100% of households in urban areas and is approaching full adoption in rural zones, according to recent figures from the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) in its latest report.survey regarding ICT devices and digital activity.

According to data gathered from January to February 2025, the ANRT reports that the number of people owning smartphones is increasing across the country, with more significant growth in rural regions: a 4% increase at the national level, 2.5% in urban areas, and 6% in rural areas. This pattern follows a consistent rise in digital adoption over the last five years.

As per the agency, four key metrics highlight this digital transformation: over 1.8 million more homes now have a computer or tablet, more than 1.5 million new households have gained internet access, 6.7 million additional people use smartphones, and 7.1 million more individuals are now online.

Source: ANRT

The increase in smartphone adoption does not reduce the use of landlines

This surge has not reduced the usage of landline phones. According to the ANRT, there was a 36.5% increase in landline access, with considerably higher growth in rural regions (+115%) compared to urban areas (+30%) from 2019 to 2024. During the same time frame, ownership of computers and tablets also saw a substantial rise (+23%).

The pandemic seems to have significantly sped up this shift, with lockdowns leading to an extraordinary level of digital dependence. In 2019, 60.4% of households had a computer or tablet; by 2024, this figure climbed to 74%. Over five years, this marks a 22.5% rise, mainly due to an increasing inclination towards mobile devices. At the same time, ownership of desktop computers continues to fall, decreasing from 13.2% in 2019 to 8.2% in 2024, a reduction of 38%.

Meanwhile, home internet access saw an increase of over 10%, getting closer to nationwide saturation. The connection rate went up from 80.8% to 89.2% between 2019 and 2024. Urban regions now reach 93.6% (+6%), whereas rural areas have experienced a notable jump to 78.4% (+12%).

Source: ANRT

Online activity and increasing conflicts inside families

The number of children using the internet has increased significantly, going up from 50.1% to 67% (+34%). In 2024, the primary activities for young users are education (95.5%), gaming and entertainment (90.7%), and social media (80.9%).

However, greater access also presents difficulties. The ANRT points out that parents are becoming more concerned about the impact of too much internet usage on their children's well-being and ability to manage their time. These worries have turned into a rising source of family conflict, although arguments are still not very common.

Source: ANRT

From 2022 to 2024, the percentage of parents indicating regular conflicts increased from 4% to 7.6% (+90%), occasional conflicts rose from 30% to 30.8% (+3%), while infrequent conflicts dropped from 40% to 32.8% (-18%). Nevertheless, four out of five parents still perceive their children's online activity in a favorable light, even though nearly all households are not familiar with national programs aimed at protecting children online.

The ANRT's nationwide survey involved 5,760 "observation units," focusing on families and people in both city and country regions of Morocco. The study comprised 3,840 urban households and 1,920 rural ones, along with 3,840 individuals aged five years and older in urban areas and 1,920 in rural areas.