A Study on the Growing Gap Between Rural and Urban Areas: The Emergence of 'Morocco of Two Speeds'
Recent policy research has underscored a troubling widening of the developmental gap between urban and rural areas in Morocco, a phenomenon often referred to as the emergence of a "Morocco of two speeds." The implications of this disparity, as outlined in a recent report, are both social and economic, posing significant challenges to national cohesion and sustainable growth.
The document, published by the Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis (MIPA), emphasizes the need for a balanced territorial approach that harmonizes national development strategies with the actual needs of local communities. Authored by Dr. Abderraouf Zaânoun, a visiting professor at the Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences in Tetouan, the paper titled "How to Overcome Morocco of Two Speeds?" highlights critical social indicators that reflect the deepening divide between rural and urban settings.
One alarming trend noted in the research is the increase in multidimensional poverty indicators over the past decade, particularly in rural regions where poverty rates have risen markedly. In contrast, urban areas have seen a reduction in vulnerability levels. The study found that unemployment rates in rural zones have surged from 10.5% in 2014 to a staggering 21.4% in 2024. This trend is attributed to inadequate economic infrastructure, limited investment opportunities, and challenges in transport and distribution networks, all of which contribute to what the report describes as "economic isolation" for many rural communities.
In terms of social infrastructure, the report highlights persistent inequalities in the distribution of essential services between urban and rural areas, especially in education and health sectors. Rural schools are often poorly equipped and lack sufficient human resources, along with limited internet connectivity, thereby exacerbating the educational gap between urban institutions, which are gradually improving, and rural schools, which continue to struggle.
The healthcare sector reveals an even starker contrast; medical services in rural areas are severely limited, with some regions reporting a doctor-to-population ratio of one physician for every ten thousand inhabitants. Furthermore, more than half of the rural population must travel over five kilometers to access the nearest basic healthcare services. The report warns that climate change and water stress further exacerbate the vulnerabilities faced by rural areas, creating an urgent need for targeted interventions.
As reported by thevoice.ma.
