Morocco’s unemployment rate climbed to 13.3% in 2024, up from 13% the previous year, as the nation’s farming sector continues to lose jobs due to persistent drought, according to a report released Monday by Morocco’s High Commission for Planning (HCP).
At the end of 2024, 1.63 million Moroccans were unemployed in a country of 37 million people. The agricultural sector lost 137,000 jobs following Morocco’s seventh consecutive year of drought, the report noted.
Government Faces Pressure Over Job Creation
The Moroccan government, which has faced criticism from opposition parties for failing to deliver on job creation promises, blamed the rise in unemployment on drought-related economic pressures. Last month, it announced a $1.4 billion plan to stimulate job growth, with a focus on supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and youth employment programs.
While services, industry, and construction sectors created new jobs, youth and women continued to struggle with high unemployment rates.
Youth and Graduates Struggle to Find Jobs
Youth unemployment rose to 36.7% from 35.8% last year.
Unemployment among graduates stood at 19.6%, compared to 19.7% in 2023.
Women’s unemployment increased to 19.4%, up from 18.3% the previous year.
With agriculture—the backbone of Morocco’s rural economy—facing severe climate challenges, the government is under pressure to accelerate economic diversification and implement effective employment policies.
