Chakib Benmoussa, the High Commissioner for Planning, released the results of Morocco’s 2024 General Population and Housing Census on Tuesday, indicating that the national unemployment rate has risen to a staggering 21%.
“The unemployment rate is higher than government estimates because it reflects the self-reported experiences of Moroccan citizens and adheres to strict statistical collection protocols,” Benmoussa stated.
While the high unemployment figures raise concerns, the census results highlighted some positive trends. National illiteracy rates have continued to decline, indicating progress in educational access and literacy programs.
Regarding linguistic distribution, census data show that 91% of Moroccans speak Darija (Moroccan Arabic), while 25% communicate in Amazigh (Berber). In contrast, speakers of Hassaniya constitute less than 1% of the population.
The report also underscored a demographic shift in fertility rates. Benmoussa said that Moroccan women now average fewer than two children each, placing the country below the replacement rate necessary to sustain previous generational population levels.