Morocco's Female Workforce Faces Unprecedented Challenges: IMF Report

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a concerning report highlighting the surge in female unemployment rates across Morocco, signaling the disproportionate impact of economic hardships on women in the nation's workforce. According to the report, female unemployment in Morocco reached an unprecedented three-decade high, averaging a staggering 20% in 2023. This statistic underscores the significant challenges women face in securing and maintaining employment in the country.

The report’s findings are a sobering indication of the harsh realities affecting Morocco's labor market, where a significant decline in overall employment has overshadowed resilience in certain sectors. The overall employment rate fell to its lowest level since the second quarter of 2018, with a notable drop in female labor force participation. It fell to a mere 18.4% in the third quarter of 2023, a substantial 3.25 percentage point decline compared to 2019. This decrease far outpaces the contraction observed among male participants.

One key factor behind this troubling trend, as identified by the IMF, is the significant job losses in the agricultural sector. This domain has been severely affected by severe water stress caused by a series of prolonged droughts. Given that a substantial proportion of working women (52%) are employed in agriculture compared to 29% of men (as of 2021), the downturn has disproportionately impacted female workers, leading to widespread layoffs and job insecurity.

While the service sectors have created some employment opportunities, their capacity to offset the losses in agriculture has been insufficient, contributing to the unemployment crisis, especially among women. Additionally, the construction sector, which had previously shown signs of growth, has failed to significantly contribute to job creation, deviating from the trends of the past four years.

The observed drop in female labor force participation actually predates the recent spike in unemployment. In 2022, female participation in the labor market stood at just 20%, down from 22% in 2021. The World Bank has reported that Morocco is the only country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region that has seen a consistent decline in female labor participation in recent years.

As Morocco faces these unprecedented challenges, the IMF's report serves as a call to action for policymakers and stakeholders. There is a pressing need to prioritize measures that address the disparities and barriers faced by women in the workforce. Promoting equal opportunities, implementing targeted initiatives, and fostering an inclusive economic environment are crucial steps toward empowering women and ensuring their active participation in the labor market. These efforts could pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous Morocco.