Morocco labour market exposes deep structural weaknesses as 58% remain outside employment
BY Dr. Hana Saada
Morocco’s labour market shows deep structural imbalances, with 58.2% of the working-age population outside employment, according to data released by the High Commission for Planning covering the first quarter of 2026.
The figures highlight persistent challenges in job creation and labour market absorption, despite official projections of economic recovery. Out of an estimated 27.8 million people of working age, only 11.6 million are recorded as part of the active labour force.
Unemployment remains elevated, particularly in urban areas where the rate reached 13.5%, while youth unemployment (aged 15–24) stood at 29.2%. The data also point to regional disparities, with unemployment reaching 20.3% in the Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra region.
Female participation in the labour market remains limited. Women account for 21% of the active workforce, with an overall participation rate of 17.5%. Underemployment among women is reported at 31.1%, reflecting continued segmentation in access to stable employment.
The report also notes that revised labour market measurement methodologies introduced in 2026 have increased the estimated number of people outside the labour force, adding what it describes as a potential labour pool of 884,000 individuals.
Officials say the new statistical framework provides a more comprehensive assessment of labour market pressures, revealing a higher level of joblessness than previously recorded.
Persistent unemployment and low labour participation continue to weigh on social and economic conditions, particularly among young people and women, in what remains a key structural challenge for policymakers.
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