Overview of Morocco's Economic Performance
In 2024, Morocco's economy experienced a notable growth rate of 4.4%, resulting in a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of MAD 1,614.57 billion (approximately $161.46 billion) at current prices. This growth, however, has not translated into equitable wealth distribution across the nation, as highlighted in the annual regional accounts released by the High Commission for Planning (HCP). The data reveals a troubling trend of increasing inequality among the country's twelve regions, with five regions alone accounting for an overwhelming share of household consumption spending.
Specifically, the Casablanca-Settat region stands out, contributing nearly a third of the national GDP, underlining a significant concentration of economic activity. The widening gap between the wealthiest and the poorest regions further accentuates the economic divide, as evidenced by the disparities observed in per capita output. In volume terms, the GDP surged to MAD 1,550.45 billion (about $155.05 billion), marking an 8.7% increase over the previous year. However, despite the national average growth, regional performances varied dramatically, with eight regions outperforming the national average.
Regional Growth Analysis and Economic Disparities
The standout region for growth was Laayoune-Saguia al Hamra, which achieved an impressive 7.6% growth, largely due to advancements in non-market services and maritime fishing. Following closely, Dakhla-Oued ed Dahab recorded a growth rate of 7%, propelled by fishing and construction sectors. Other regions, such as Souss-Massa and Draa-Tafilalet, also displayed robust growth figures owing to the contributions from agriculture and construction activities respectively. In contrast, several regions fell below the national growth average, including Casablanca-Settat, which managed only 4.3% growth, and Rabat-Sale-Kenitra at 3.5%. The disparity in growth rates starkly illustrates the uneven economic landscape of Morocco, where certain areas thrive while others struggle to keep pace.
Moreover, the concentration of GDP generation remains pronounced, with three regions—Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, and Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima—responsible for 58.4% of the national output. In stark contrast, the collective contribution from four other regions, including Draa-Tafilalet and several southern regions, only accounted for a mere 7.8%. This concentration of wealth not only reflects economic activity but also exacerbates existing inequalities, as evidenced by a mean absolute deviation in regional GDP figures that increased from MAD 83.6 billion ($8.36 billion) in 2023 to MAD 90.9 billion ($9.09 billion) in 2024.
Additionally, the per capita GDP across Morocco stands at MAD 43,891 ($4,389), with significant variations among regions. While regions like Dakhla-Oued ed Dahab and Laayoune-Saguia al Hamra boast per capita figures exceeding MAD 70,000, regions such as Marrakech-Safi lag behind with a mere MAD 28,692 ($2,869). This widening gap in per capita income further emphasizes the pressing need for targeted economic policies that address these disparities.
Household consumption expenditures also reflect this concentration of wealth, with five regions absorbing 74.4% of total expenditures in 2024. The average per capita household spending nationally is MAD 25,664 ($2,566), yet stark differences persist, where some regions exhibit much higher averages while others languish significantly below. The regional accounts underscore the structural imbalances that characterize Morocco’s economy, warning of a potential crisis if these disparities continue to deepen.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
