Morocco's strict unemployment rate stood at 10.8% in the first quarter of 2026, according to a new information note from the High Commission for Planning (HCP) on the labor market situation, based on the results of the National Survey on Employment. This represents a slight increase compared to the same period in 2025, when the rate was 10.7%.
The HCP report, released on May 5, 2026, indicates that the unemployment rate is higher in urban areas at 14.9% compared to 5.4% in rural areas. The rate is particularly high among young people aged 15-24, reaching 33.2%.
By gender, the unemployment rate for women is 17.4%, while for men it is 9.1%. The total number of unemployed individuals in Morocco is estimated at 1.6 million people.
The HCP attributes this trend to a slowdown in job creation in certain sectors, including agriculture and construction, despite overall economic growth. The data is based on a survey conducted among a representative sample of households across the country.
