Stadiums, Motorways, Factories… but Youth Unemployment in Morocco Still Stands at 37 %

This is the paradox highlighted by the Financial Times following the mass arrivals of young Moroccans in Ceuta. The British daily contrasts the investments transforming the kingdom with the situation of many young people facing unemployment or insufficient incomes.

On Bladi.net : Morocco’s Youth Divided: Hope at Home vs. Dreams Abroad Amid Economic Challenges

The contrast is striking. Morocco is developing its automotive and aerospace industries and investing in phosphates, railways, roads and the infrastructure for the 2030 World Cup. But according to the FT, public investment accounts for around two-thirds of total investment, while many of these major, highly capital-intensive projects do not create as many jobs as their scale might suggest.

37% youth unemployment

The figures sum up the problem: unemployment stands at around 13% in Morocco and exceeds 37% among young people. The newspaper notably describes the difficulties faced by graduates earning low salaries and by young people who move from one temporary job to another without managing to build a stable situation.

This divide also helps explain why some continue to look toward Europe. The Financial Times notably cites a young metalworker and footballer who tried several times to reach Spain. The events in Ceuta suddenly made this unease visible.

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For the economists interviewed, the challenge is therefore no longer simply to invest more, but to develop a private sector capable of creating large numbers of quality jobs. Morocco is succeeding in transforming its infrastructure and industrial base; it still has to ensure that this transformation is also felt by those seeking their place in the labor market.