Between 2014 and 2024, Morocco witnessed a significant rise in unemployment, escalating from 16.2% to 21.3%. This increase mirrors trends in both urban and rural areas, with the latter experiencing a particularly alarming surge. According to the latest general population and housing census (RGPH), the unemployment rate in urban areas climbed from 19.3% to 21.2% over the decade, while rural regions saw a dramatic rise from 10.5% to 21.4%. These figures, unveiled at a press conference by the Haut-commissariat au plan (HCP) on Tuesday in Rabat, highlight the disproportionate impact on women, who face an unemployment rate of 25.9% in 2024, compared to 29.6% in 2014. In contrast, the rate for men increased from 12.4% in 2014 to 20.1% in 2024. Regionally, Guelmim-Oued Noun tops the list with a staggering 31.5% unemployment rate, followed by Oriental at 30.4%, Béni Mellal-Khénifra at 26.8%, Laâyoune-Sakia Hamra at 26.6%, and Fès-Meknès at 23.3%. Conversely, regions like Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab report lower unemployment at 10.6%, with Casablanca-Settat at 18.8%, Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma at 19.6%, Souss-Massa at 19.7%, and Rabat-Salé-Kénitra at 19.8%. Presenting these statistics, the High Commissioner for Planning, Chakib Benmoussa, noted that the economically active population aged 15 and over has decreased to 41.6%, down from 47.6% in 2014. Benmoussa also highlighted that 69.8% of the population now benefits from medical coverage, although regional disparities remain. Meanwhile, the illiteracy rate has dropped to 24.8%. The census data further reveal a total fertility rate of 1.97 children per woman in 2024, below the generation replacement level of 2.1. Consequently, the proportion of children and working-age individuals is declining, while the number of senior citizens is on the rise. As of September 1, 2024, Morocco's legal population reached 36.8 million, with an average annual growth rate of 0.85% between 2014 and 2024, according to Benmoussa. Urbanization has also increased, now standing at 62.8%.
