RABAT | Morocco’s unemployment rate dropped to 13.1% in September 2025, down from 13.6% a year earlier, reflecting modest improvements in the country’s labor market despite challenges in the agricultural sector, according to the Haut Commissariat au Plan (HCP).
The decrease was largely driven by job gains in services, construction, and industrial sectors, which helped offset losses in agriculture caused by prolonged drought conditions. Overall, approximately 1.62 million Moroccans were unemployed at the end of September in a country of roughly 37 million people.
Youth unemployment remains a significant concern, standing at 38.4% for those aged 15 to 24. The HCP also reported unemployment rates of 19% among recent graduates and 21.6% for women, highlighting ongoing disparities in the labor market.
Economists say the figures reflect gradual economic recovery efforts amid external pressures, including inflation and climate-related agricultural challenges. The Moroccan government has continued to focus on promoting job creation in urban areas, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and investing in sectors with high employment potential, such as renewable energy, tourism, and manufacturing.
“While the overall decline in unemployment is encouraging, targeted policies are needed to address youth and female employment gaps,” said a labor market analyst in Rabat. “Sustaining these gains will require continued investment in skills development and economic diversification.”