Morocco's strict unemployment rate stood at 10.8% in the first quarter of 2026, according to a recent report from the High Commission for Planning (HCP). The figure reflects a slight increase from the previous quarter.
The HCP report, released on May 5, 2026, indicates that the unemployment rate is 13.5% in urban areas and 5.4% in rural areas. Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) remains high at 22.3%.
The data shows that the labor force participation rate declined to 43.2% in Q1 2026, down from 43.8% in the same period last year. The HCP attributes this to a decrease in the working-age population and a rise in discouraged workers.
Employment in the services sector grew by 1.2% year-on-year, while agriculture and industry saw slight declines. The total number of unemployed individuals reached 1.58 million.
