The strict unemployment rate in Morocco stood at 10.8% in the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest information from the High Commission for Planning (HCP) on the labor market situation. This rate is 13.5% in urban areas compared to 6.1% in rural areas, and affects women (16.1%) more than men (9.4%). Young people aged 15 to 24 remain the most affected, with a rate of 29.2%, followed by those aged 25-34 (16.1%).
In terms of volume, strict unemployment concerns 1.253 million people, with nearly 80% in urban areas and 31.3% women. Furthermore, 671,000 employed individuals are in underemployment due to working hours, mainly in urban areas (52.9%).
The potential workforce is estimated at 884,000 people, representing 5.5% of the population outside the workforce. The combined unemployment + underemployment rate reaches 16.6% nationally (18.3% in urban areas, 13.6% in rural areas), with a significant gap between women (19.8%) and men (15.7%).
The combined unemployment + potential workforce rate stands at 17.1% (20.4% in urban areas, 11.2% in rural areas), peaking at 27.9% for women compared to 13.9% for men. Finally, the composite rate of labor underutilization, reflecting the overall unmet need for work, stands at 22.5% nationally (24.8% in urban areas, 18.3% in rural areas). Young people aged 15 to 24 (45.3%) and women (31.1%) are the most affected categories.
