Unemployment Crisis in Morocco: Alarming Record
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- Morocco is currently grappling with a severe economic crisis. Over the past year, the country has witnessed an unprecedented surge in unemployment rates, a cause for deep concern. According to statistics published by Morocco’s High Commission for Planning, the number of jobless individuals has reached an alarming level, shedding light on the economic hurdles that the nation is currently facing.
Unprecedented Increase in Unemployment
The report by the High Commission for Planning reveals a significant surge in unemployment, with 248,000 new individuals finding themselves without employment during the same period. In total, the nationwide count of unemployed individuals stands at a staggering 1,625,000 people as of the third quarter of 2023. This unprecedented increase in unemployment rates is a major cause for concern in the country.
The report further highlights that this surge in unemployment is distributed across urban and rural areas, with 181,000 jobless individuals in urban settings and 67,000 in rural areas. Morocco’s overall unemployment rate has shown a substantial increase, rising from 11.4% to 13.5%. This increase is even more pronounced in urban areas, where the unemployment rate has climbed from 15% to 17%, and in rural areas, from 5.2% to 7%.
Youth aged 15 to 24 are particularly affected, with an alarming unemployment rate of 38.2%. Women are not spared either, displaying an unemployment rate of 19.8%. Even those with degrees, who are expected to have better job prospects, face challenges, with an unemployment rate of 19.8%.
Disturbing Decline in Employment Rates
Simultaneously, the national employment rate has experienced a decline, dropping from 39% to 37.4%. This decrease is observed both in rural areas, where the employment rate has fallen from 45.5% to 42.6%, and in urban areas, where it has decreased from 35.7% to 34.8%. This decline in employment rates is more pronounced among men, dropping from 62.9% to 60.7%, but it also affects women, with a decrease from 15.9% to 14.8%.
Factors Behind the Economic Crisis
These alarming figures are the result of a series of factors that have contributed to the economic crisis in Morocco. The repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly impacted the country’s economy, leading to economic contraction. Furthermore, the recent earthquake that struck Morocco has exacerbated the situation, causing additional economic disruptions.
In response to these challenges, Moroccan authorities have sought funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address the economic crisis.
The unemployment crisis in Morocco is a major cause for concern, with increasing unemployment rates and a worrying decline in employment rates. Youth, women, and graduates are particularly affected by this situation.
