Moroccan women are living longer and becoming more educated, yet they remain underrepresented in the labor market and decision-making roles. The latest HCP report shows persistent gender gaps in employment, income, and access to education, particularly in rural areas. Morocco still has a long way to go before achieving equal representation for women in education, the labor market, and decision-making. Data compiled by the High Commission for Planning (HCP) in its annual report «Moroccan Women in Figures» attests to this reality, offering an updated statistical snapshot of women's progress across key sectors, from education and health to employment and public life. Drawing on national surveys and ministerial data, the report tracks gender disparities and trends up to 2024, giving policymakers and civil society a clear picture of women's evolving place in Moroccan society. Women in the job market In the job market, the female labor force participation rate among women aged 15 and over stands at 19.1%. Divorced women are the most active group, with a participation rate of 41.3%, while widows are the least active at 9.4%. Among higher-education graduates aged 25 to 59, the rate reaches 33.9%, compared to 92.1% for men, a stark disparity that illustrates persistent gender gaps. The inequality is also reflected in employment rates: only 15.3% of women aged 15 and over are employed, compared to 60.7% of men. The gap widens in rural areas, where just 17.5% of women are employed, versus 70.5% of men. Among higher-education graduates, 30.1% of women are employed, compared to 53.8% of men. Unemployment figures tell a similar story. The rate stands at 19.4% among women versus 11.6% among men. Moreover, 33.3% of unemployed women hold higher-education degrees, compared to 21.2% of men. The gap is even more pronounced among youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET): 35.1% of young women fall into this category, against 14.2% of young men. Education remains another area of disparity. In 2024, among people aged 25 and over with at least a lower secondary education level, 32.7% were women, compared to 45.7% men. Literacy levels are higher, with 96.7% of young women aged 15–24 literate, compared to 98.3% of young men. Yet rural areas continue to lag behind: for girls aged 15 to 17, school enrollment reaches 100% in cities, but drops to just 55% in rural Morocco. Unpaid labor, representation and violence The report also provides insight into how women divide their time between domestic and professional work. Based on the 2012 time-use survey, women devote 79% of their total productive workload to domestic work and only 21% to professional activity. By contrast, men spend just 12% of their productive time on domestic work, dedicating 88% to paid employment. This imbalance extends into representation in public life and decision-making. Between 2021 and 2024, women accounted for 22.6% of government members, 24.3% of parliamentarians, 39.8% of regional representatives, and 29.8% of municipal officials. The HCP also addressed poverty and vulnerability among female-headed households, using 2022 data. Only 2.5% of such households experience monetary poverty, and 11.1% face vulnerability — compared to 4.1% and 13.3%, respectively, for male-headed households. Finally, the report highlights violence against women, a persistent social issue. In 2019, 56% of women aged 18–64 reported experiencing at least one form of violence. This includes 15.4% who suffered workplace violence and 52.1% who experienced domestic or spousal violence.
