On June 12, 2026, World Day Against Child Labour, Morocco's High Commission for Planning (HCP) released data showing 103,000 children aged 7-17 were working in 2025, representing 1.3% of that age group. The figure marks a decrease from 157,000 in 2019 and 114,000 in 2022, according to the HCP's national survey on child labour.
The report highlighted that 73.8% of working children are in rural areas, with 26.2% in urban zones. Boys account for 75.7% of child workers, while girls make up 24.3%. Among them, 82.5% work in agriculture, forestry, or fishing, 9.5% in services, and 8% in industry and crafts.
The HCP noted that 57.9% of working children are aged 15-17, 31.1% are 12-14, and 11% are 7-11. Additionally, 52.4% of child workers combine work with school attendance, while 47.6% do not attend school. The data was released under the 2026 theme 'Red Card to Child Labour: Protected Childhood, Decent Work for Adults.'
Morocco has ratified ILO Convention 138 on minimum age and Convention 182 on worst forms of child labour. The HCP survey, conducted in 2025, is part of ongoing monitoring efforts. The government has implemented programs to combat child labour, including conditional cash transfers and awareness campaigns, though challenges persist in rural areas.
