Rabat – The cost of living in Morocco rose moderately in 2024, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increasing by 0.9% compared to the previous year, according to the High Commission for Planning (HCP) data.
This reflects small but noticeable changes in daily expenses for Moroccan households, particularly in food and staple goods.
The rise was mainly driven by higher prices for food, which climbed by 0.8%, and non-food products, which saw a 1.2% increase.
Among non-food items, some categories became more expensive, such as dining out and accommodations, which went up by 3.4%. Others, like healthcare services, became slightly more affordable, dropping by 1.3%.
What this means for Moroccan families
For many Moroccans, this uptick translates into higher spending on basic necessities.
Core inflation, which excludes items with volatile prices and government-regulated goods, rose by 2.4% over the year.
This suggests a steady increase in the cost of everyday essentials, affecting household budgets, particularly in Morocco’s urban areas.
Some cities experienced steeper price hikes than others. Laayoune saw the highest increase, with prices rising by 3%. Guelmim followed at 2.2%, while Dakhla and Safi recorded a rise of 1.7%.
Major cities like Casablanca and Rabat saw smaller increases, around 0.8% and 1.5%, respectively.
These regional differences show how inflation impacts Moroccans unevenly, with southern regions facing greater challenges.
December brings slight relief
In December, the CPI fell by 0.2% compared to November, providing a small reprieve. Food prices, which are often a primary concern for households, dropped slightly.
Vegetables became 3.9% cheaper, and fruit prices fell by 2.3%. However, the cost of meat rose by 1%, along with increases for oils, dairy products, and beverages.
Earlier this week, Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture addressed the price hikes in vegetables, poultry, and red meats during a parliamentary session.
He outlined various government initiatives to support agricultural inputs and simplify importation procedures. These measures aim to stabilize the market, ease the ongoing price crisis, and alleviate the situation for Morocco’s strained households.
Non-food prices remained stable overall, though fuel costs edged up by 0.3%. This stability in non-food items may have provided a bit of relief to families managing their year-end budgets.
For the majority of Moroccan families, these figures underline the ongoing pressure of rising living costs.
While some categories remain stable or even decline slightly, the upward trend in core inflation points to the need for careful budgeting.
For many, particularly in regions with sharper increases, this reflects the growing challenge of balancing household expenses against stagnant incomes.
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