Morocco among countries showing strong optimism about economic prospects

12:45

By: Azzat Manal

Morocco among countries showing strong optimism about economic prospects

Morocco has emerged among the countries where citizens express relatively strong optimism about the future of their national economy, according to a new international survey conducted by Focaldata for The Rockefeller Foundation.

The 2026 survey examined public perceptions of international cooperation, economic prospects and broader social and geopolitical issues across 34 countries. Focaldata surveyed 35,399 adults between July 21 and August 5, using nationally representative samples that were weighted according to factors including age, gender, region and education.

The findings indicate that respondents in Morocco and Saudi Arabia were among those expressing stronger expectations for their countries' economic direction over the coming years. The results come against a global backdrop of economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and concerns about living costs and future opportunities.

The survey nevertheless points to significant differences between countries. Overall, economic optimism declined in 27 of the 34 economies covered by the study compared with the previous year. Despite this broader deterioration in sentiment, perceptions in several developing and emerging economies remained comparatively more positive.

Morocco's position in the survey reflects expectations surrounding the country's ongoing economic transformation, including investment in infrastructure, industrial development, tourism, renewable energy and efforts to attract foreign investment. These factors have contributed to a broader focus on strengthening economic resilience and diversifying sources of growth.

Saudi Arabia has similarly been pursuing large-scale economic diversification through its Vision 2030 programme, with investment extending beyond the oil sector into tourism, infrastructure, technology and other non-oil activities. The survey's findings therefore come at a time when both countries are undergoing significant economic and investment changes.

The international context remains challenging, however. The Rockefeller Foundation's 2026 research found that nearly seven in ten respondents believe the world has become worse over the previous year, while support for countries working together to address global challenges has remained relatively strong. Some 57% said their country should cooperate internationally even when this involves compromising certain national interests.

The researchers also stressed that public optimism should be understood as a measure of perceptions rather than a direct economic forecast. Expectations expressed by respondents do not necessarily predict future GDP growth, employment levels, inflation or household incomes.

The findings nevertheless provide an indication of how citizens in different parts of the world perceive their economic prospects at a time of rapid global change. For Morocco, the relatively positive sentiment places public expectations alongside the country's ongoing efforts to expand investment, strengthen productive sectors and improve its position within the global economy.