Morocco’s unemployment rate has risen to 21.3% over the last decade, according to the High Commissioner for Planning, Chakib Benmoussa. The announcement was made during a press conference in Rabat on Wednesday, where detailed findings from the 2024 general population and housing census were presented.
The census, conducted every ten years, was held in September, marking the seventh in Morocco’s history. Initial results were released last month.
“During the period between 2014 and 2024, the overall unemployment rate rose from 16.2 per cent to 21.3 per cent,” Benmoussa revealed. Urban unemployment rose from 19.3% to 21.2%, while rural unemployment saw a sharper rise, climbing from 10.5% to 21.4%.
Women’s unemployment decreased slightly over the decade, now standing at 25.9% compared to 29.6% in 2014. For men, however, the rate jumped significantly from 12.4% to 20.1%.
Benmoussa also noted a decline in economic participation among Moroccans aged 15 and older, with only 41.6% engaged in economic activity in 2024 compared to 47.6% in 2014.
The regions with the highest unemployment rates were Guelmim-Oued Noun and Beni Mellal-Khenifra at 26.8%, followed closely by Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra at 26.6% and Fez-Meknes at 23.3%.
Despite these figures, Morocco’s draft budget predicts economic growth of 4.6% and an inflation rate of around 2% by 2025.
