Morocco reveals $1.3 billion plan to tackle youth unemployment

Morocco’s Minister of Economic Inclusion unveiled a new $1.3 plan on Saturday that aims to help young Moroccans find employment, according to a report in Morocco World News.

The youth unemployment rate in Morocco hit 22 percent in 2023, according to Statista. The youth unemployment rate refers to the share of the workforce aged 15 to 24 that is actively searching for work but currently not working.

The new program is targeted towards individuals without formal education. Measures include incentivizing businesses to hire people without diplomas, expanding apprenticeship programs in small and medium sized enterprises in rural areas and encouraging farmers to retain workers in rural areas.

At the same time, Morocco has raised its minimum wage for agricultural workers and non-agricultural workers by 5% effective January 1^st. The new minimum wage for non-agricultural workers will be MAD 17.10 per hour ($1.70) while agricultural workers will be paid a minimum of MAD 93 ($9.23) per day.