Morocco Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Morocco's youth unemployment was 21.88% in 2025, ranked 144th globally. This represents a 2.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Morocco's youth unemployment stood at 21.88% in 2025, a decline of +0.49pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 20.79% by 2026. Morocco ranked 144th globally.
Morocco’s youth unemployment rate stood at 21.88 % in 2025, placing the country 144th worldwide and slightly above Chile’s 21.64 % and Iran’s 21.90 % while remaining marginally below Mauritania’s 22.92 %. The indicator has fluctuated over the 35‑year series, reaching a trough of 15.44 % in 2004 before climbing to an all‑time peak of 26.80 % during the pandemic‑related shock of 2020. The post‑peak decline to the current level reflects modest job creation in services and manufacturing, yet the persistence of structural mismatches between education outcomes and market demand keeps the rate elevated. Demographic pressure, with a growing share of young entrants to the labour force, suggests that without targeted vocational training and incentives for private‑sector hiring, the downward trajectory may stall; however, sustained reforms could accelerate further reductions in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 19.46% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 20.13% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 20.79% | - | - |
| 2025 | 21.88% | −0.49pp | #144 |
| 2024 | 22.37% | +0.40pp | #144 |
| 2023 | 21.97% | −0.74pp | #143 |
| 2022 | 22.71% | −2.34pp | #142 |
| 2021 | 25.05% | −1.74pp | #143 |
| 2020 | 26.80% | +4.32pp | #142 |
| 2019 | 22.48% | +0.04pp | #138 |
| 2018 | 22.43% | +0.26pp | #135 |
| 2017 | 22.17% | −0.10pp | #133 |
| 2016 | 22.27% | +1.44pp | #129 |
| 2015 | 20.83% | +0.86pp | #126 |
| 2014 | 19.97% | +0.81pp | #121 |
| 2013 | 19.16% | +0.52pp | #113 |
| 2012 | 18.64% | +0.71pp | #111 |
| 2011 | 17.93% | +0.31pp | #105 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Morocco matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2006. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Morocco's youth unemployment was 21.88% in 2025. Ranked 144th globally. This represents a 2.2% decrease from the previous year.
Morocco's youth unemployment peaked at 26.80% in 2020.
The lowest youth unemployment in Morocco was 15.44% in 2004.
Morocco ranks 144th globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Morocco's youth unemployment is projected to reach 20.79% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Morocco in 2025 was 21.88%. This ranks 144th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_morocco_youth-unemployment,
title = {Morocco Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/morocco/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}