The High Commission for Planning in Morocco has reported alarming statistics regarding the unemployment rate, which stood at 10.8% in the first quarter of 2026. This figure translates to approximately 1.253 million unemployed individuals amidst a workforce of about 10.364 million. The compounded rate of underemployment has reached 22.5%, indicating persistent structural pressures on the labor market.
According to the labor market report, the working-age population is estimated at 27.8 million, while the active workforce remains stable at 11.617 million, resulting in a national participation rate of approximately 41.8%. This leaves a staggering 58.2% of the population outside the job market, with notable disparities observed between urban and rural employment rates, where 41% of urban residents are employed compared to 43.3% in rural areas.
Unemployment rates are higher in urban areas, recorded at 13.5%, in contrast to just 6.1% in rural regions. Furthermore, gender disparities are significant, with female unemployment at 16.1% compared to 9.4% for males. The youth demographic, particularly those aged 15 to 24, faces the most severe challenges with an unemployment rate of 29.2%.
In terms of employment with income, the rate stands at 37.3%, with the services sector dominating employment figures, accounting for 49.1% of all workers (over 5 million individuals). This is followed by agriculture at 24.5%, industry at 13.6%, and construction and public works at 12.7%.
Structural Imbalances in the Labor Market
The new indicators derived from the National Workforce Survey for 2026 present a more complex picture of the labor market. The analysis extends beyond unemployment rates to encompass underemployment and potential labor force participation. Currently, 671,000 individuals are classified as underemployed due to insufficient working hours, while the potential labor force is estimated at around 884,000, which heightens the actual and potential pressure on the job market.
The combined rate of unemployment and underemployment is reported at 16.6%, while the rate that includes unemployment and potential labor force stands at 17.1%. This reflects a widening vulnerability in employment, particularly affecting women and youth. Regional disparities are also pronounced, with the Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra region reporting the highest unemployment at 20.3%, followed by the Eastern region at 14.9% and Guelmim-Oued Noun at 14.8%. In contrast, the lowest rates are found in the regions of Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab (5.7%), Marrakech-Safi (7%), and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (7.3%).
Gender gaps remain stark in labor market access, with women comprising only 21% of the total workforce. Their participation rate is a mere 17.5%, compared to 66.4% for men. Moreover, women's employment rate is only 14.7% versus 60.1% for men. This gender gap is further evident in underemployment statistics, with a combined rate of 31.1% for women compared to 19.9% for men, illustrating a greater fragility in women's integration into the job market.
A New Methodology Highlighting Complexity
The 2026 labor force survey marks a significant evolution in methodology, adopting updated international standards. It redefines employment to focus exclusively on income-generating activities and adopts a narrow definition of unemployment. Additionally, it develops multidimensional indicators to measure underemployment. The sample size has been increased to 135,000 households, allowing for more precise regional and local indicators and better analysis of labor market dynamics.
In summary, the first quarter data of 2026 reveals a relative improvement in labor market measurement tools while highlighting ongoing structural challenges, such as high youth unemployment, inadequate integration of women, and the expansion of underemployment. These issues pose renewed challenges for public policies concerning employment and economic growth.
As reported by lakome2.com.
