Morocco’s unemployment rate rises to 13.3% in 2024 amid persistent drought

Morocco’s unemployment rate increased slightly in 2024, reaching 13.3% compared to 13% the previous year, according to data from the High Commission for Planning (HCP), Reuters reports.

The agricultural sector suffered significant losses, shedding 137,000 jobs due to ongoing drought conditions. The country has now experienced seven consecutive years of below-average rainfall, a situation worsened by climate change.

Despite the rural job losses—approximately 80,000 positions—urban areas saw job growth, with 162,000 new jobs created, according to HCP data cited by Assahifa.

In total, 1.63 million Moroccans of working age were unemployed last year, with youth unemployment remaining a critical issue at 36.7%.

To tackle the growing unemployment problem, Morocco’s Minister of Economic Inclusion announced a $1.3 billion initiative in December. The plan aims to support apprenticeship programs for young people, particularly in small and medium-sized businesses, and to assist companies in hiring youth without formal diplomas, according to Morocco World News.

Additionally, the government introduced measures to help rural farmers retain workers, fostering a more stable employment environment in the agricultural sector.