Morocco Takes Steps to Curb High Divorce Rates

Morocco recorded over 24,000 cases of mutual consent divorces in 2023, Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi said on Monday in a statement delivered on his behalf by Government Spokesperson Mustapha Baitas during a session of the Lower House in Rabat.
According to Morocco’s Statistics and Forecasts Office (HCP), the national divorce rate is around 50%, about the same as previous years.
Ouahbi further noted that of the 249,089 marriages registered in 2024, in 341 the husband initiated a “revocable divorce” action, known as “Rijii.” Under Islamic law, in a revocable divorce, a husband who has sought a divorce has the right to decide to take his wife back, without the wife’s consent, within a specified waiting period called “Idda” prior to the divorce becoming final.
Ouahbi outlined several measures the government is taking to try to reduce divorce rates in Morocco. These include raising awareness about the responsibilities of marriage, providing pre-marital counseling to help couples navigate conflicts, and establishing family mediation systems within the justice sector. He also underscored the need to strengthen the role of social assistance units in mediating disputes and efforts at reconciliation.
Morocco’s Family Code already requires attempts to reconcile spouses during the Idda period before a divorce is finalized. Judges can enlist the support of institutions, community entities, or family members to facilitate reconciliation.
Experts, however, argue that the rising divorce rates in Morocco point to deeper societal challenges, as the country grapples with the tension between preserving its cultural identity and adapting to a rapidly changing social environment, including the demand for women’s rights.