Morocco Faces Rising Unemployment Despite Government Pledges and Weak Economic Growth

Watan-Unemployment affected 1.63 million people in Morocco during the first three months of this year, increasing pressure on the government, which had promised to reduce the unemployment rate amid fragile economic growth. According to the High Commission for Planning (a government body), in a report issued Monday on labor market conditions, the unemployment rate reached 13.3% in the first quarter of this year, compared to 13.7% during the same period last year.

The report noted that unemployment affected 1.63 million people in Q1 2025, with 40,000 jobs created in urban areas and 25,000 jobs lost in rural areas. The urban unemployment rate dropped from 17.6% to 16.6%, while in rural areas it rose from 6.8% to 7.3%.

However, the overall unemployment rate does not reflect the severe difficulties faced by certain groups in finding work. The data shows that unemployment among youth aged 15–24 reached 37.7%, while it stood at 19.9% for women and 19.4% for people with academic degrees.

Economists often stress that the official unemployment rate fails to capture the full picture due to the prevalence of underemployment and unpaid labor. A related report from the High Commission for Planning noted that 80.6% of households expect the unemployment rate to increase in the next twelve months.

In recent years, Morocco has failed to achieve strong GDP growth. The country’s current development model aims to raise growth to 6%, which would help curb unemployment. Several studies affirm the Moroccan economy’s limited capacity to generate sufficient jobs. Moroccan economist Radouane Taouil attributes this to fragile growth, heavily dependent on agriculture, which has been severely impacted by drought in recent years.

Fragile Growth in Morocco

Taouil told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the newly created jobs in various sectors reflect the vulnerability of Morocco’s economy, especially with widespread underemployment and unpaid labor—particularly in agriculture.

Recent data reveals the government’s intent to reduce unemployment, as outlined in its roadmap aiming to create 350,000 jobs by 2026, ahead of the next parliamentary elections. However, achieving this target remains uncertain and heavily dependent on the return of normal rainfall.

The government also aims to create 1.45 million jobs by 2030, with a target unemployment rate of 9%—again contingent on favorable weather conditions.

Following a cabinet meeting on the eve of Labor Day, the government confirmed its focus on enhancing the social and professional integration of the most vulnerable groups, particularly youth and women. It also announced support for rural families through initiatives to reduce job loss in the agricultural sector and to ease barriers that hinder women’s access to employment.