Coronavirus to throw 1 million Moroccans into poverty- official report

The coronavirus pandemic hit the income of many Moroccans with 1.05 million people expected to fall into poverty, the high commission for planning said.

Poverty may grow in Morocco to 6.6% of the population this year, said a report co-drafted by the high commission for planning, the World Bank and the UN.

Morocco has undertaken colossal anti-poverty efforts curbing monetary poverty rate to 4.8% in 2014 from 15.3% in 2001.

People prey to poverty would increase from 17.1% in 2019 to 19.87% in 2020, the report adds.

The coronavirus economic repercussions will affect mostly people working in the informal sector who represent most of the active population as well as refugees and migrants.

The study also warns of the impact on social peace as many people will lose their jobs in sectors such as tourism and agriculture, noting that many people who are unable to work from home will have to brace for tough times.

Morocco’s economy is expected to contract 5.3%. The World Bank said that Morocco needs at least a growth rate of 7% annually to absorb increasing demand on jobs.