Morocco’s unemployment rate declined to 13% in 2025, falling 0.3 percentage points from the previous year as the national economy generated 193,000 new employment positions, according to data released by the High Commission for Planning (HCP). The improvement reflects divergent urban-rural dynamics and concerning trends among specific demographic segments.
The unemployment decrease manifested differently across geographical zones—dropping from 6.8% to 6.6% in rural areas and from 16.9% to 16.4% in urban centers. Total unemployed persons declined by 17,000 to reach 1.621 million, the HCP reported in its labor market situation note.
Gender disparities widened significantly. Female unemployment increased 1.1 percentage points to 20.5%, while male unemployment fell 0.8 points to 10.8%. Youth aged 15-24 experienced rising joblessness, with their rate climbing 0.5 points to 37.2%—the sole age category seeing deterioration. Conversely, unemployment among 25-34 year-olds edged down to 20.9%, while those aged 35-44 saw rates decline to 7.2%, and individuals 45 and older reached 3.6%.
Troubling structural patterns emerged in 2025. First-time job seekers rose from 49.3% to 52.9% of total unemployed, while long-term unemployment—joblessness exceeding one year—increased from 62.4% to 64.8%. Average unemployment duration extended from 31 to 33 months.
Employment circumstances reveal that 36.6% became unemployed following completion of studies or training, while 25.4% faced unemployment through dismissal or establishment closure. Among previously employed job seekers, 81.3% reside in urban areas, three-quarters are male, and 58.1% fall within the 15-34 age bracket. Notably, 75% hold diplomas—46% at intermediate level and 29% with higher education credentials.
Underemployment also expanded, rising from 1.082 million to 1.190 million persons between 2024 and 2025, with urban underemployment increasing from 585,000 to 652,000 and rural from 496,000 to 538,000.
The 193,000 net employment gain resulted from 203,000 urban positions added against 10,000 rural job losses. This creation stemmed from 249,000 remunerated employment increases offset by 55,000 unpaid position decreases, indicating improved job quality alongside quantitative growth.
