Morocco unveils new labor survey as unemployment reaches 10.8%

Monday 08 June 2026 - 14:17

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco unveils new labor survey as unemployment reaches 10.8%

Morocco’s High Commission for Planning (HCP) has published the first findings from its new labor force survey, EMO2026, which replaces the long-standing National Employment Survey. The new framework provides a broader assessment of labor market conditions and introduces updated measurement methods aligned with international standards.

The survey found that Morocco’s strict unemployment rate stood at 10.8% during the first quarter of 2026. Unemployment was significantly higher in urban areas at 13.5%, compared with 6.1% in rural regions. Young people aged 15 to 24 remained the most affected group, with an unemployment rate of 29.2%. Women also faced greater challenges in the labor market, recording a rate of 16.1%, while the figure for men reached 9.4%.

Among Morocco’s working-age population of 27.775 million people, only 11.617 million were classified as economically active. Of these, 10.364 million held paid employment. Nearly 62% of employed workers lived in urban areas, while women represented less than one-fifth of all paid workers nationwide. The figures underline persistent disparities in workforce participation and employment opportunities.

EMO2026 introduces a more comprehensive approach to measuring labor market pressure. Beyond the traditional unemployment rate, the survey tracks four separate indicators of labor underutilization. The second measure combines unemployment with underemployment linked to insufficient working hours, producing a rate of 16.6%. The third expands the calculation by including people interested in paid work but unable to actively seek employment or immediately accept a job, raising the rate to 17.1%.

The broadest indicator combines unemployment, underemployment, and the potential workforce. Under this measure, labor underuse reached 22.5% nationally. The figure rose to 24.8% in urban areas and stood at 18.3% in rural regions. The results suggest that labor market challenges extend beyond those officially classified as unemployed.

Gender disparities remained pronounced throughout the survey. Labor force participation reached 66.4% among men but only 17.5% among women. The broadest labor underuse measure climbed to 31.1% for women, compared with 19.9% for men. Among young people aged 15 to 24, the same indicator reached 45.3%, reflecting continued difficulties for new entrants to the labor market.

The services sector remained the country’s largest employer, accounting for 49.1% of paid jobs. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing followed with 24.5%, while industry represented 13.6% of employment and construction accounted for 12.7%. These figures illustrate the dominant role of services in Morocco’s economy while highlighting the continued importance of agriculture.

The new survey significantly expands data collection efforts. Its annual sample size has increased from 90,000 to 135,000 households. HCP also revised its methodology to align with recommendations adopted during the 19th, 20th, and 21st International Labour Organization conferences. Because of these methodological changes, the agency cautioned that EMO2026 results cannot be directly compared with data produced under the previous survey system.