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Rabat – New unemployment figures show a tough market for Moroccan women and youth, even if they are educated.
The youth unemployment rate in Morocco sits at 39 percent in urban areas and 20.8 across the country, according to this year’s national workforce survey from the Economic, Social and Environmental Council.
Degree-holders between the ages of 15-24 have historically fared worse in the job market, according to previous figures. In 2014, young Moroccan graduates saw an unemployment rate of 24.4 percent.
The overall unemployment rate in urban centers remains elevated at 14.6 percent, the report, which has been sent to King Mohammed VI and his advisors, said. Last year, 14.8 percent of job-seeking Moroccans could not find work.
In rural areas, an unemployment rate of 4.1 percent showed strong activity in the agricultural sector –which employs 40 percent of the kingdom’s workforce.
The percentage of women participating in the formal economy decreased year-over-year. In 2014, 25.2 percent worked outside of their homes, but in 2015, that number fell slightly to 24.8 percent. Urban areas felt this drop further, with just 17.4 percent of woman pursuing a profession or trade.
The council recommended new development programs that would create well-paid and sustainable jobs for Moroccan women and youth. The underemployed populations could be utilized to grow the national real estate and finance sectors’ strength, as well as increase the country’s manufacturing capacity, according to the report’s writers, who warned against unproductive economic activity, such as importing goods.
