The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that nearly one-third of young women in rural Morocco are neither in school, employed, nor enrolled in training programs (NEET). While Morocco's agricultural system continues to grow, improvements in road infrastructure have helped enhance access to education. In Morocco, nearly 33% of young women and girls aged 15 to 24 are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), according to the latest global report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), The State of Youth in Agricultural and Food Systems. The report notes this rate drops slightly to 26% for young urban women. Among young men in the same age group, the NEET rate is significantly lower, at just 12%, both in urban and rural areas. These figures are concerning, especially given that youth make up around 16% of Morocco's rural population. FAO points to a broader global trend behind the shrinking youth presence in rural areas, as countries shift from traditional, labor-intensive agriculture to more diversified and industrialized agri-food systems. Agriculture: A Major Entry Point for Youth Employment FAO highlights the crucial role of agricultural and food systems as a gateway into the labor market for youth. In crisis-affected regions, around 76% of young men and 66% of young women aged 15 to 19 are employed in the agri-food sector, compared to 66% of young men and 63% of young women aged 20 to 24. Improved road infrastructure, particularly the development of paved roads, has been shown to significantly ease mobility and open up economic opportunities in rural areas. In some countries, it has helped young people, especially women, transition out of agriculture into wage employment. In others, proximity to road networks has been linked to lower youth unemployment, with a stronger effect observed among young women. In Morocco, FAO notes that better road access has led to higher enrollment rates for young women in secondary schools and reduced early marriage, likely due to improved transportation options. For young men, road improvements have mainly facilitated access to wage employment, with limited impact on educational attainment. Migration: A Response to Limited Opportunities The report also discusses migration as an option increasingly considered by youth seeking a better future. Drawing on 2023 data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), FAO underscores that many youth aged 14 to 24 are taking dangerous journeys to Europe, driven by economic hardship, conflict, or violence. The top countries of origin for these young migrants include Afghanistan (15%), Morocco (12%), Pakistan (9%), Bangladesh (7%), and Guinea (6%). Around 90% of them are boys or young men, although the report notes that women migrants from some countries are also represented. Of those surveyed, 37% were unemployed and actively looking for work before migrating, 37% were employed, and just 15% were students. Educational attainment levels varied: 51% had only primary or no education, 45% had completed secondary education, and just 4% had pursued higher education. Young female migrants, on average, had slightly higher education levels than their male counterparts. In North Africa, environmental degradation, including droughts, soil erosion, and rising temperatures, was also cited as a push factor. Among surveyed youth, 40% of Algerians and 19% of Moroccans said the slow pace of change in their communities influenced their decision to migrate. Socioeconomic opportunities, safety, and family ties continue to shape their destination choices. Investing in Youth Through Rural Development FAO underscores the importance of rural development in reversing these trends. Investments in infrastructure related to agri-food systems, such as irrigation and food processing facilities, can raise productivity, increase value-added, and expand job opportunities for youth along agricultural value chains. On a global scale, 25% of working young men and 92% of working young women aged 15 to 29 are employed in agricultural and food systems, compared to just 13% of young men and 11% of young women aged 20 to 24 in industrialized systems. To fully unlock the potential of youth in agri-food systems, FAO calls for complementary investments in easing intellectual property laws, strengthening national research systems, and deploying context-specific innovations at scale. The agency also recommends expanding extension services to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and best practices between researchers and stakeholders in the agri-food sector. Finally, FAO emphasizes that investment in physical and digital infrastructure is critical for widespread, inclusive growth and productivity across rural areas. Improving the coverage and quality of such infrastructure will be vital to ensuring young people have a future in agriculture and beyond.
