Western Sahara—EconomyCIA FactbookThe World Factbook 1994: Western SaharaEconomyOverview: Western Sahara, a territory poor in natural resources and having little rainfall, has a per capita GDP of roughly $300. Pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining are the principal sources of income for the population. Most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government.
National product: GDP—exchange rate conversion—$60 million (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate: NA%
National product per capita: $300 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:• revenues: $NA
• expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports: $8 million (f.o.b., 1982 est.)
• commodities: phosphates 62%
• partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts
Imports: $30 million (c.i.f., 1982 est.)
• commodities: fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs
• partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts
External debt: $NA
Industrial production: growth rate NA%
Electricity:• capacity: 60,000 kW
• production: 79 million kWh
• consumption per capita: 425 kWh (1989)
Industries: phosphate mining, fishing, handicrafts
Agriculture: limited largely to subsistence agriculture; some barley is grown in nondrought years; fruit and vegetables are grown in the few oases; food imports are essential; camels, sheep, and goats are kept by the nomadic natives; cash economy exists largely for the garrison forces
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 Moroccan dirham (DH)=100 centimes
Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1—9.669 (January 1994), 9.299 (1993), 8.538 (1992), 8.707 (1991), 8.242 (1990), 8.488 (1989)
Fiscal year: NA