Five Moroccan regions account for 72% of active workforce in early 2025
Five regions accounted for 72% of all active individuals aged 15 and over in the first quarter of 2025, according to the High Commission for Planning (HCP). Casablanca-Settat topped the list with 22.3%, followed by Rabat-Salé-Kénitra (13.2%), Marrakech-Safi (13%), Fès-Meknès (11.9%), and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (11.7%).
In its information note on the labor market situation in Q1 2025, the HCP noted that four regions reported activity rates above the national average of 42.9%. These were Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (47.1%), the Southern regions (45.6%), Casablanca-Settat (45.1%), and Marrakech-Safi (43.1%). The lowest activity rates were recorded in Souss-Massa (40.1%), Béni Mellal-Khénifra (39.9%), and the Oriental region (39.3%).
When it comes to unemployment, five regions accounted for 70% of all unemployed individuals. Casablanca-Settat led with 23%, followed by Fès-Meknès (13.2%), the Oriental region (12.2%), Rabat-Salé-Kénitra (11.9%), and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (9.8%).
The highest unemployment rates were recorded in the Oriental region (25.2%) and the Southern regions (23.8%). Two additional regions posted rates above the national average of 13.3%: Casablanca-Settat (13.7%) and Fès-Meknès (14.7%).
In contrast, Drâa-Tafilalet, Marrakech-Safi, and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima recorded the lowest unemployment rates, at 8%, 8.9%, and 11.2% respectively.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
No Country for Old Age? Morocco Stalls at the Edge of a Graying Future
Rabat – As Morocco navigates the 21st century, the country finds itself at the cusp of a quiet but still powerful demographic shift. Declining fertility, rising infertility rates, longer life expectancy, and evolving social structures are all converging to produce one unavoidable reality: Morocco is aging. The country is going through a demographic shift as the number of persons aged 60+ is expected to more than double between 2020-2050. To ensure every person can lead an independent and dignified life at any age, and their communities benefit from the demographic dividend, national policies and systems across all sectors must address the well-being and rights of individuals across this life course. While this trend is not unique to Morocco, the country's particular socio-economic landscape poses unique challenges. With no clearly defined or publicly shared national plan to address the coming 'gray wave,' questions are mounting over whether Morocco is doing enough to prepare for a future where a growing portion of its citizens will be older, more vulnerable, and in need of targeted support. A rapidly aging population Morocco's demographic indicators have shifted dramatically over the past four decades. The fertility rate, for instance, went through fluctuations, all pointing towards a downward trend. According to data from Macrotrends, Morocco's fertility rate has been gradually declining over the past few years. In 2025, it stands at 2.26, marking a 0.92% decrease from 2024. The previous year recorded a rate of 2.28, following a 0.87% drop from 2023. Women are marrying later, often due to rising education levels, economic uncertainty, and changing cultural expectations. As of 2022, the number of marriages in Morocco stood at around 252,000. The number decreased compared to the previous year, when it reached a low of approximately 270,000. Previously, marriages in the country decreased gradually from 2018 to 2020, data from Statista shows. Infertility, too, is on the rise, with a national health survey estimating that over 12% of Moroccan couples face fertility challenges. These trends mean that while Morocco is still classified as a 'young country,' the age structure is evolving fast. According to projections by Morocco's High Commission for Planning (HCP), the population of people aged 60 and over in Morocco is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 3.3% between 2014 and 2050. Their numbers are expected to more than triple over this period, rising from 3.2 million to 10.1 million. By 2050, this age group would account for 23.2% of the country's total population. The implications are far-reaching, affecting everything from healthcare and pensions to labor markets, housing, and family life. Inadequate infrastructure, the digital divide Despite these clear signals, Morocco's approach to aging remains fragmented and, in many cases, inadequate. Pension systems exist, notably through the Moroccan Pension Fund (CMR) and the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), but their coverage is limited, especially for people who spent their lives working in the informal economy. With many essential services now digitized, older adults face significant barriers. Accessing CNSS benefits, renewing medical cards, or registering for health coverage often requires digital skills and internet access that many senior citizens simply do not have. When they go to CNSS offices to inquire about their pensions or seek basic information, many — if not all — older Moroccans often find themselves unable to even queue without a prior online appointment, a requirement that assumes digital access and literacy. Many of these individuals are frail, unwell, or come from remote areas. They may not own smartphones or know how to use them, and the physical strain of waiting in long lines only adds to their hardship. For the senior population, digital exclusion can mean being effectively locked out of vital services. While digital transformation is an important goal for Morocco's administrative modernization, it currently risks alienating a large and growing segment of the population. Grim reality? Morocco's health system is not yet equipped to meet the needs of an aging population. Geriatric care remains a neglected specialty, with few medical professionals trained specifically to care for older adults. Hospitals and clinics often lack the resources or capacity to deal with age-related conditions, such as dementia, cardiovascular diseases, and mobility issues. Out-of-pocket health expenditures are high in Morocco, creating another layer of vulnerability for seniors, particularly those living alone or without family support. While the rollout of AMO (Compulsory Health Insurance) under CNSS has expanded access to basic healthcare, the system's gaps remain acute. A survey published in January by the market research group Sunergia sheds light on the stark realities of retirement in Morocco, revealing significant gaps and enduring inequalities. While 59% of Moroccans are covered by employer-provided retirement plans, only 5% have secured coverage on their own. Workers in the informal sector and retirees from private companies make up the majority of those with individual plans, with just 10% and 13% in each group reporting independent coverage. More troubling, however, is the finding that 36% of Moroccans have no retirement coverage at all, a figure that soars to 86% among those working in the informal economy, exposing the severe vulnerability of this population. Although the government has been reviewing the pension system to address its shortcomings and improve retirement coverage, many people remain dissatisfied, especially with the ongoing inflation and rising cost of living, as the results have yet to bring noticeable improvements or alleviate widespread concerns about inequality and accessibility. In January, the Civil Pensioners' Organization of Morocco (ORCM) raised serious concerns about the deteriorating conditions retirees are facing across the country. The organization criticized successive governments for neglecting this vulnerable group and showing little regard for the growing financial pressures retirees endured amid ongoing inflation. Their planned protest followed recent government debates on pension reform , which resulted in an approved amendment to the 2025 Finance Bill (PLF 2025) that gradually exempted basic retirement pensions from income tax. Starting in January 2025, retirees receiving basic pensions were set to benefit from a 50% tax reduction, moving toward full exemption by 2026. However, this relief applied only to basic pensions and regulated lifetime annuities; complementary pensions, which tended to be higher due to additional savings, remained taxable to preserve state revenues. Despite this measure, retirees argued that the reform failed to meet their real needs. While it offered them some financial relief, many pensioners continued to struggle with low pensions that did not cover essential living costs like food and daily necessities. Is pension reform enough? Pension reform has long been a recurring issue in Morocco's policy landscape, discussed, debated, and revisited over the years without a definitive resolution. Its persistence reflects both the structural complexity of the system and the wide-reaching consequences of any proposed changes. Despite repeated efforts by successive governments, striking a balance between financial sustainability and social equity has proven elusive, keeping the issue at the forefront of public debate. The government introduced in December last year a new measure under the 2025 Finance Bill (PLF 2025), to ease the financial burden on retirees. The amendment, approved by Parliament, sets out a phased exemption of basic retirement pensions from income tax. Starting in January 2025, beneficiaries under the basic regime began receiving a 50% tax deduction, with a full exemption planned for 2026. Budget Minister Delegate Fouzi Lekjaa described the reform as a step toward alleviating the economic pressure facing Morocco's aging population. However, the measure is limited in scope. It applies only to basic pensions and regulated lifetime annuities, while complementary pensions, which are often higher due to individual savings, remain taxable to preserve fiscal revenue. Although the reform marked a move in the right direction, retirees argued it fell short of meeting their broader demands for a dignified standard of living. Chief among their calls were immediate pension increases, particularly for those in low- and middle-income brackets, as well as stronger representation on pension fund boards and in social service associations across the public and private sectors. Healthcare also remained a critical concern. Pensioners demanded not only improved access to quality medical care but also full exemption from costs not covered by the country's basic health insurance systems (AMO and CNOPS). 'Retirees have contributed to the system throughout their working lives,' many argued, 'and should not be forced to shoulder additional expenses for services they rightfully deserve.' The decline of the traditional family model Morocco's aging challenge is not only institutional but also cultural. For generations, elderly Moroccans relied on their families, particularly daughters and daughters-in-law, for care and companionship. Today, that model is increasingly under strain. Urban migration, emigration, women's increased labor force participation, and rising individualism mean that many elderly Moroccans now live alone or in households where traditional care roles are no longer feasible. The assumption that family will always step in to support the elderly is no longer guaranteed. At the same time, there are few viable alternatives. Morocco lacks a strong network of community-based elder care facilities. Public retirement homes are scarce, underfunded, and often stigmatized. Private facilities, where they exist, are expensive and inaccessible to most. The result is a growing number of elderly people, especially women, left in precarious situations. Some rely on the goodwill of neighbors or distant relatives. Others live in isolation, with limited access to social interaction, mobility, or basic assistance. A missing national vision So far, Morocco has not articulated a comprehensive vision for aging. While the government has introduced some pilot programs, such as awareness campaigns, health screenings, and limited income support initiatives, these remain scattered and often confined to major urban centers. A national aging strategy would need to address multiple fronts. It would also require confronting uncomfortable questions: What happens when traditional caregiving roles no longer hold? How can Morocco create an inclusive society for its elders without placing the burden solely on families? Aging is not a crisis in itself, it is a natural outcome of progress. Longer lives reflect better healthcare, education, and living standards. But without planning, this progress can turn into pressure. Morocco's aging wave is inevitable, but its consequences are not. With thoughtful, inclusive, and forward-looking policy, the country can turn this demographic transition into an opportunity to reimagine how society treats its elders. Without bold leadership and a clear national vision, Morocco risks entering this new era unprepared, leaving its elderly citizens adrift in a system that was not designed with them in mind. Whether this 'silver future' becomes a dignified chapter in Morocco's development or a missed opportunity depends on choices made today.
Ya Biladi
28-05-2025
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan women at the margins of the informal sector
In Morocco, the proportion of households owning an informal production unit (IPU) remains notably significant. Over nearly a decade, from 2014 to 2023, this figure has only slightly decreased—from 15.5% to 14.3%—both in urban areas (from 17.2% to 15.6%) and rural areas (from 12.8% to 11%). In its National Survey on the sector published this Wednesday, the High Commission for Planning (HCP) highlights that economic necessity remains the primary reason for engaging in this activity in 68.3% of cases, especially among women. Meanwhile, 31.7% of IPU owners cite preference or family tradition as their motivation. Before creating their IPU, 78.8% of heads were already economically active, primarily in construction (81.4%). However, there are significant gender gaps: 82.3% of men were employed compared to just 36.1% of women, the report notes. Nearly 60% of IPU heads are former employees. Additionally, 38.3% of women had previously owned another IPU as independents, compared to 27.6% of men. The HCP further observes that women enter the informal sector out of necessity more often than men—71.9% versus 65.1%. Notably, 44% of women were inactive before starting their IPU, compared to only 7.1% of men. Thus, the informal sector often serves as a first entry point into the labor market for many women, although it does not always lead to formal employment. According to the report, the share of women coming from unemployment (19.8%) is nearly double that of men (10.6%), «reflecting a more frequent recourse by women to informal self-employment as an alternative to professional exclusion». This gendered analysis also reveals that women rely less on self-financing and more on alternative funding sources such as inheritance, aid, or donations, reflecting lower financial autonomy when establishing their unit. In the sector, 30% of women struggle more than men to balance their professional and personal lives—compared to only 8.1% of men. The report calls this «a major challenge for women's autonomy and professional fulfillment», with these constraints compounded by limited access to bank credit. Within this ecosystem, only 2.1% of IPU heads have a dedicated bank account for their activity. A precarious alternative to total inactivity The report underscores persistent gender disparities in decision-making autonomy and work-family balance within IPUs. It highlights differences in income management autonomy, where men (96.4%) slightly outperform women (94.7%). Decision-making patterns reveal further disparities: nearly half of women (43.4%) share decisions with their spouse, compared to 31.3% of men. Conversely, 19% of men report making decisions with a partner, against only 10.2% of women. Regarding professional status before creating an IPU, the survey notes that most heads were employees (59.5%), followed by independents (28%). Yet, more women had previously worked as independents (38.3% vs. 27.6%), while men were more often employees (59.8% vs. 51.4%). At the national level, the HCP notes that households led by men have a higher IPU ownership rate (16.1%) than those led by women (5.4%). In urban areas, 18% of male-led households own an IPU, compared to 6.1% of female-led ones. This gap widens in rural areas—12% versus 2.7%. Moreover, heads aged 35 to 59 are more likely to own an IPU (17.1%), with men constituting the vast majority (92.4%) of IPU leaders. Women are nearly absent in the construction sector, managing only 5.2% of IPUs in commerce and 8.2% in services. They are most represented in industry, with 20.9%, according to the HCP. These figures are revealing in a context where female employment loss remains high. In rural areas, this loss is estimated to reduce GDP by nearly 2.2%. While over 80% of women nationally are economically inactive and only 19% hold a job, the HCP has recommended targeted empowerment measures to recognize the «essential but often invisible» contributions of female workers, especially in rural zones. In 2023, informal sector employment accounted for 33.1% of non-agricultural jobs. The downward trend is seen in industry (from 37.2% to 29.3%) and services (21.5% to 20.6%), alongside increases in trade (68.5% to 69.8%) and construction (21.4% to 25.3%). In absolute numbers, informal employment grew from 2.37 million to 2.53 million over this period, adding 157,000 jobs.
Morocco World
19-05-2025
- Morocco World
‘It's Over': Nizar Baraka Concedes Government Failure on Million-Job Commitment
Doha – Nizar Baraka, Secretary General of the Istiqlal Party and Minister of Equipment and Water, acknowledged the government's failure to meet its major commitment of creating one million jobs by 2026. 'It's over, we cannot create one million jobs by 2026. We tell the truth to Moroccans,' Baraka declared Saturday during his party's national council meeting in Salé. Despite this admission, Baraka pointed to positive employment trends in early 2025. The first quarter saw the creation of 180,000 net jobs, compared to a loss of 80,000 positions during the same period last year. Baraka attributed this improvement to increased public investment, which reached MAD 340 billion ($34 billion) this year, up from MAD 220 billion ($22 billion) in 2020. His ministry's investment budget alone jumped from MAD 40 billion ($4 billion) to MAD 70 billion ($7 billion). Addressing price increases, Baraka condemned what he called 'inflationary greed' among some traders and speculators. 'We face non-citizen behaviors from people who have exploited the inflationary context to raise commercial margins and make excessive profits at the expense of citizens… and this, we will not accept,' he asserted. The minister called for maintaining unity within the government coalition. He warned that premature competition for first place in upcoming elections could harm government performance and citizens' interests. The Akhannouch government's term has been marked more by job losses than gains. According to the High Commission for Planning (HCP), 432,000 jobs were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, while 230,000 were created in 2021. The Moroccan economy lost 24,000 jobs in 2022 and destroyed 157,000 positions in 2023. In January, Baraka had painted a concerning picture of Morocco's employment situation. He cited youth unemployment at 39.5%, overall unemployment at 21.3%, and women's unemployment at 29.6%. 'Our country's youth have objective and legitimate reasons to feel anxious about the future and fears about uncertainty,' Baraka stated during a national event commemorating the 81st anniversary of Morocco's Independence Manifesto. Tags: Aziz AkhannouchNizar BarakaUnemployment in Morocco
