Morocco's Unemployment Rate Overview
According to the initial findings from the 2026 Employment Survey (EMO2026), Morocco's unemployment rate has been recorded at 10.8% for the first quarter of 2026. This figure represents a notable decrease from the 13% unemployment rate observed throughout 2025. However, despite this improvement, the data reveals significant disparities in employment access, especially among women and youth. Specifically, unemployment among young individuals aged 15 to 24 is alarmingly high at 29.2%, marking this group as the most vulnerable to employment challenges.
Gender Disparities and Workforce Participation
The statistics further illustrate the precarious position of women in the labor market, where their participation rate is limited to just 17.5%, starkly contrasted with the 66.4% participation rate for men. This discrepancy underscores the enduring structural inequalities present in Morocco’s job market, as women are disproportionately represented among those outside the labor force. The EMO2026 has been instituted to align national labor statistics with new standards set by the International Labour Organization (ILO), providing a clearer understanding of the employment landscape in Morocco.
It is important to note that this reform modifies the criteria for analyzing unemployment and economic activity. Under the new definitions, unemployment in the "strict sense" pertains only to those who are unemployed, available for work, and actively seeking employment. These results emerge amid a backdrop of substantial structural imbalances within Morocco's labor market. In response, the government has initiated an employment roadmap aimed at reducing the unemployment rate to 9% by 2030, which includes the creation of approximately 1.45 million jobs, modernization of vocational training, and enhanced integration of youth and women into the workforce.
As reported by agenceecofin.com.
