Morocco job shortfall affects 2.4 million people
Nearly half of young Moroccans aged 15 to 24 face unmet employment needs, according to the High Commission for Planning.
Morocco’s job shortfall impacted 2.4 million people in the third quarter of 2026, with nearly half of young people aged 15 to 24 facing unmet employment needs. The High Commission for Planning (HCP) reported that the national labor underutilization rate reached 19.6% between July and September. Young people faced a 44.5% rate, while women recorded 28.5%.
The 2.4 million affected include the strictly unemployed, those in the potential workforce not currently employed, and underemployed workers, with strict unemployment at 10.5%. The number of people actively seeking work and available rose to 1.22 million, an increase of 103,000 in three months. Paid employment declined by a net 173,000 to 10.47 million people.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing shed a net 145,000 jobs, a 5.6% decrease, while services lost 96,000 jobs. Industry added 69,000 jobs, the only sector to register an increase. Guelmim-Oued Noun region recorded the highest underutilization rate at 38.7%.
Why it mattersMoroccan citizens seeking employment are facing difficulties finding or securing enough work, with 2.4 million people affected by the job shortfall.