ESEC Report: 1.5 Million Moroccan Youth Outside Education, Labor Market

Rabat – Approximately 1.5 million young Moroccans are left without a place in the education, training, and job sectors, according to the country’s Economic, Social, and Environmental Council (ESEC).

While presenting a recent report from the council on Wednesday, Reda Echami, President of the Council, said that a large number of young people neither attend school nor participate in vocational training, leaving them essentially unemployed.

The issue equally extends to a broader age range, with approximately 4.3 million young Moroccans between the ages of 15 and 34 facing similar challenges.

This data comes as part of an in-depth analysis conducted by the Council on the status of Moroccan youth outside the education, training, and employment systems, referred to as NEET youth.

Echami stressed that this term carries no negative connotations but rather serves to identify a vulnerable demographic in need of support.

The Council’s findings indicate a concerning rise in youth unemployment, reaching 35.8% in 2023, coupled with a decrease in activity rate to 22.6%.

In addition, there has been a continuous decline in women’s participation in the labor market, currently standing at 19%.

Echami stressed the collaborative effort behind the Council’s analysis, which revolves around involving stakeholders from governmental sectors, national institutions, international organizations, and civil society associations, as well as input from citizens through the Ouchariko platform.

The Council’s recommendations include enhancing the monitoring and tracking capabilities of NEET youth through a national information system, establishing an extensive network for receiving and guiding this demographic, and improving economic and social integration services and programs.

In addition, preventive measures are advised to avoid further youth disengagement, such as ensuring compulsory education until the age of 16 and providing support services for disadvantaged families.

Echami emphasized the need to harness the potential of NEET youth positively, stressing the importance of addressing these challenges before the demographic window closes in 2040.