Significant Overqualification Among Young Graduates in Morocco
A recent report from the World Bank highlights a troubling trend in Morocco’s job market, where nearly half of the young workforce is overqualified for their current roles. Specifically, the study indicates that 43% of individuals aged 25 to 34 who hold higher education degrees are employed in positions that do not require their level of qualification. This alarming statistic underscores a growing disconnect between educational attainment and job market needs, leading to feelings of frustration among the youth, as evidenced by protests from the GenZ212 movement that emerged last autumn.
The World Bank’s findings, derived from data collected by the High Commission for Planning, reveal that the rate of overqualification has surged by nine percentage points over the last seven years. Among graduates from vocational and technical training programs, this rate is even more striking, reaching up to 70%. This significant gap suggests that Morocco’s labor market is not keeping pace with the increasing number of university graduates, which has expanded by approximately 40,000 each year since 2015. As a result, Morocco has positioned itself as the leading industrial power in Africa, according to a study conducted by the African Development Bank.
Wider Context of Overqualification in Africa and Beyond
The issue of overqualification is not unique to Morocco; it is a concern that affects numerous countries across Africa, even though quantifying the extent of the problem can be challenging. Europe faces similar challenges, with Spain being particularly notable, where about 35% of the workforce is reported to be overqualified for their jobs. This ongoing trend calls for urgent attention to ensure that educational institutions align more closely with market demands, thereby improving employment outcomes for young graduates and mitigating their frustration.
As reported by rfi.fr.
