Morocco's Economic Performance in 2024

In 2024, Morocco's economy witnessed a notable growth rate of 4.4%, as reported by the High Commission for Planning (HCP). Among the twelve regions of the country, eight exceeded this national average, highlighting a diverse economic landscape. The region of Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra led the way with an impressive growth rate of 7.6%, driven primarily by the sectors of non-market services and maritime fisheries. Following closely, the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region achieved a growth rate of 7%, largely due to its thriving fishing and construction industries. The Souss-Massa region also performed well, recording a growth rate of 6.8%, thanks to increased agricultural production and service sector activities.

Other regions that outpaced the national average included Drâa-Tafilalet with a growth rate of 6.2%, the Oriental region at 5.9%, Marrakech-Safi at 5.1%, Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima at 4.9%, and Guelmim-Oued Noun at 4.6%. However, the economic performance of some regions fell short of expectations, with Casablanca-Settat experiencing a growth rate of 4.3%, while Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Béni Mellal-Khénifra, and Fès-Meknès lagged behind at 3.5%, 2.1%, and 1.6%, respectively. Particularly concerning was Fès-Meknès, which reported a decline in agricultural value added following an extraordinary harvest in 2023.

Deepening Economic Disparities

Despite the positive growth figures from various regions, the HCP highlighted a troubling trend: the concentration of economic activity remains heavily skewed towards a select few regions. Notably, Casablanca-Settat was responsible for a staggering 32.3% of Morocco's national GDP in 2024. In stark contrast, the southern regions, including Drâa-Tafilalet, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra, and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, collectively contributed a mere 7.8% to the national GDP. This concentration exemplifies the widening disparities across the country, as the average absolute disparity in GDP between regions increased from MAD 83.6 billion in 2023 to MAD 90.9 billion in 2024.

The average GDP per capita in Morocco reached MAD 43,891, but this figure masked significant regional differences. Dakhla-Oued Eddahab boasted the highest GDP per capita at MAD 92,904, while Marrakech-Safi reported a much lower figure of MAD 28,692, illustrating a disparity in economic wellbeing. The average difference in GDP per capita between regions also rose from MAD 14,853 to MAD 15,560. Household consumption patterns echoed these disparities, with final consumption expenditure totaling MAD 944.1 billion, yet 74.4% of this spending was concentrated in the regions of Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima, and Fès-Meknès. This reality paints a complex picture of Morocco’s economic landscape, where growth exists alongside increasing regional inequalities.

As reported by en.hespress.com.