Graduate unemployment in Morocco is a major issue, illustrated by alarming figures that reflect the gap between the number of trained youth and the opportunities offered by the labor market.
Despite steady economic growth, access to employment for young graduates remains limited.

Revealing figures

According to the High Commission for Planning (HCP), the overall unemployment rate in Morocco reached 13.6% in 2024 (Source : HCP, 2024). Among young graduates, the situation is even more concerning, with the rate nearing 25%. These figures highlight that despite holding a degree, a significant proportion of young people are still seeking employment.

In 2023, nearly 150,000 new graduates joined the ranks of job seekers, while the market created only around 50,000 new positions suited to their profiles (Source : Agence Nationale de Promotion de l’Emploi). This imbalance clearly reflects the lack of alignment between training programs and labor market needs.

A gap between skills and market demands

Sectors experiencing strong growth — such as information technology, renewable energy, and specialized industry — are struggling to find qualified talent. For example, in the digital sector, a study by the Digital Development Agency revealed that more than 80% of companies report shortage of profiles matching their requirements (Source : Agence de Développement du Digital). This clearly demonstrates the need to rethink training paths to better meet the expectations of the private sector.

The geographical divide: A worsening factor

Another dimension of this issue is the geographical divide, which exacerbates graduate unemployment. In urban areas, particularly in cities like Casablanca, Rabat, or Marrakech, the unemployment rate is relatively lower, around 19%. In contrast, in rural areas and economically less dynamic regions, nearly 45% of young graduates are unemployed (Source : HCP, 2024). This gap highlights the unequal distribution of opportunities across the Moroccan territory.

Ongoing initiatives, but mixed results

To address this situation, the government has launched several initiatives, such as the National Employment Strategy, the Green Morocco Plan, and the Youth Employment Support Fund (Source : Ministère de l’Emploi). For instance, the recent Employment Recovery Plan launched in 2023 led to the creation of around 30,000 new jobs in 2024. Despite these efforts, the imbalance between the number of graduates and the opportunities available remains worrisome.

Toward a deeper discussion

The figures clearly show that graduate unemployment in Morocco is a complex issue, marked by a significant mismatch between training and market needs, as well as an unequal geographic distribution of opportunities .

What do you think are the main causes of this situation?

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