Morocco Sees Sharp Rise in Divorce Rates, Minister Cites Increased Awareness

It is in response to a written question from the PJD parliamentary group on "the increase in divorce cases" that Abdellatif Ouahbia, Minister of Justice, provided this response, noting that Morocco had seen a decline in divorce cases since the entry into force of the Moudawana in 2004. But since 2021, divorces have started to rise again, even those obtained by mutual consent in the total number of divorce cases have significantly increased (76% against 7% in 2004).

Moroccans, explained the minister, no longer want the devastating divorces whose only losers remain in the majority of cases, the children. This is why they now choose more to resolve family conflicts through dialogue to reach an agreement. He also indicated that revocable divorce is declining, with 526 cases in 2021 against 7,146 cases in 2004. "The Family Code contains many guarantees to advance the institution of the family with all its components to allow it to continue to fulfill its functions as the primary cell of society," notes the minister.

He recalls that in recent years, many efforts have been made so that divorce does not harm the woman or the children. However, Abdellatif Ouahbi stresses that this is not a way to promote divorce, since the legislator prioritizes reconciliation in the couple. It is only after the failure of mediation that divorce intervenes as a last resort.