Five Moroccan regions dominate 74% of national consumer spending
Morocco’s household consumption patterns reveal stark regional disparities, with five regions accounting for 74 percent of the nation’s total consumer spending in 2023, according to data released Tuesday by the High Commission for Planning (HCP). The concentration underscores persistent economic imbalances despite ongoing development initiatives.
Casablanca-Settat leads overwhelmingly with 25 percent of national household final consumption expenditure, totaling 891.9 billion dirhams nationwide. The region’s dominance stems from its dense urban concentration, industrial infrastructure, and robust financial services sector. Rabat-Salé-Kénitra follows with 14.6 percent, reflecting the capital region’s strong purchasing power and public sector employment base.
Three additional regions complete the top five: Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima captures 11.7 percent, driven by Tanger Med’s industrial and logistics dynamism; Fès-Meknès accounts for 11.5 percent through agricultural, commercial, and service activities; and Marrakech-Safi claims 11.3 percent, bolstered by tourism, hospitality, and restaurant sectors.
The remaining eight regions share just 26 percent of consumption spending. Souss-Massa manages 7.2 percent, while Oriental hovers around 5 percent. Southern regions including Drâa-Tafilalet, Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra, Guelmim-Oued Noun, and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab register marginal shares, with Dakhla-Oued Eddahab trailing at 0.8 percent.
Regional inequality metrics have worsened, with the absolute average deviation between regional and national consumption rising from 44.2 billion dirhams in 2022 to 48.2 billion in 2023. However, per capita consumption reveals surprising patterns: Dakhla-Oued Eddahab leads at 32,700 dirhams per person despite minimal overall share, benefiting from low population density and strong fishing industry revenues. Casablanca-Settat follows at 29,325 dirhams, exceeding the 24,092-dirham national average.
These disparities highlight challenges for Morocco’s territorial equity goals amid preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup and 2030 World Cup.