# Morocco labour market gender gap

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/morocco-labour-market-gender-gap
> Updated: 2026-08-03T18:18:00.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2.

A World Bank report highlighted Morocco’s fragile labour market, noting that female participation remained below 20 % and that structural barriers such as unequal household duties, limited childcare, transport constraints and a 25 % wage gap kept many women in informal or low‑paid work. The report also warned that rising oil and energy prices linked to Middle‑East conflicts were adding pressure, and it called for faster digitalisation by firms to boost productivity.

In the second quarter of 2026 the High Commission for Planning recorded a headline unemployment rate of 9.5 %, a 1.3‑point decline from the previous quarter. Women’s unemployment stayed higher at 14.8 % versus 8.1 % for men, and youth aged 15‑24 remained the most affected group with a 27.2 % unemployment rate. The EMO2026 survey, using a stricter definition of employment, added 279 000 new jobs, raising total employment to 10.64 million and the employment‑to‑population ratio to 38.2 % (up from 37.3 %). The labour force reached 11.76 million, with participation climbing to 42.2 %.

The services sector continued to drive job creation, adding 166 000 positions, while industry, construction and agriculture contributed more modest gains. Urban unemployment stood at 11.9 % and rural at 5.4 %. Although overall labour‑market indicators improved across most demographics, structural gender disparities and high youth joblessness remain key challenges, underscoring the need for continued digital adoption and targeted policy measures.

## Claims

- Morocco's strict unemployment rate fell to 9.5% in the second quarter of 2026. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Youth (15‑24) strict unemployment rate was 27.2% in Q2 2026. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Urban strict unemployment rate was 11.9% and rural rate 5.4% in Q2 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Female strict unemployment rate was 14.8% and male rate 8.1% in Q2 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- 279,000 new jobs were created in Morocco in Q2 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The services sector added 166,000 jobs in Q2 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- National employment rate rose to 38.2% in Q2 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Morocco's labor force reached 11.76 million in Q2 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-03: Morocco unemployment drops to 9.5% in Q2 2026 as job creation accelerates

Morocco's strict unemployment fell to 9.5% in Q2 2026, with urban 11.9% and rural 5.4%. 279,000 jobs were added, led by services (+166k), raising employment to 38.2% and labor force to 11.76 million.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/morocco-unemployment-drops-to-95-in-q2-2026

### 2026-07-26: Morocco’s labour market hampered by low female participation and digitalisation gap

Morocco’s labour market suffers from low female participation (<20 %), structural barriers and a 22.5 % under‑employment rate; a World Bank report urges digitalisation and notes Middle‑East conflict‑driven oil‑

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moroccos-labour-market-hampered-by-low-female-participation-and-digitalisation-gap

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Cite as: Morocco labour market gender gap. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/morocco-labour-market-gender-gap