Morocco’s strict unemployment rate rose to 10.5% in the third quarter of 2026, up 0.9 points from the previous quarter, according to the High Commission for Planning (HCP), which published its quarterly note on 3 November 2026. Over the same period the economy lost 173,000 net jobs, a fall of 1.6%.
For founders, employers and employment programs, the data shows where available workers are concentrated and which regions are falling behind.
About the publication
| Publisher | High Commission for Planning (Haut-Commissariat au Plan, HCP) |
| Released | 3 November 2026 |
| Title | Situation du marché du travail au Maroc au troisième trimestre 2026, selon l’enquête sur la main-d’œuvre EMO2026 |
| Data covered | Labour force, employment, unemployment and labour underutilization, Q3 2026, by sex, age and region |
| Latest edition? | Yes, as of November 2026. The note is published quarterly, in French and Arabic. |
Key findings
- The labour force numbers 11.7 million people, of whom 10.5 million are employed, according to the HCP.
- Employment fell by 173,000 net jobs (down 1.6%) from the previous quarter, and strict unemployment rose to 10.5%, up 0.9 points.
- The composite labour underutilization rate, which adds underemployment and the potential labour force to unemployment, reached 19.6%, the HCP reports.
- Young people aged 15 to 24 are hit hardest, with 30.5% unemployment and 44.5% underutilization.
- Among women, unemployment stands at 16.7% and underutilization at 28.5%, according to the note.
- Regional gaps are wide. Participation ranges from 30.2% in Drâa-Tafilalet to 64.7% in Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, and underutilization from 9.2% in Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab to 38.7% in Guelmim-Oued Noun, the HCP shows.
Unemployment and underutilization by group, Q3 2026:
| Group | Strict unemployment | Composite underutilization |
|---|---|---|
| All | 10.5% | 19.6% |
| Women | 16.7% | 28.5% |
| Youth aged 15 to 24 | 30.5% | 44.5% |
What these figures mean for founders and employment actors
- Unemployment is only part of the picture. Nearly one in five people in the extended labour force is underused. Programs that track only unemployment miss underemployment, which also affects people who already have a job.
- Youth remain the priority. With 44.5% underutilization among 15 to 24 year olds, first-job offers, apprenticeships and internships meet a large and measurable need.
- Women’s potential is underused. Underutilization of 28.5% among women points to a talent pool that employers can reach through flexibility, childcare support or remote work.
- Region matters. The underutilization gap between Guelmim-Oued Noun and Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab exceeds 29 points. Location and inclusion decisions should start from this regional data.
📥 Read the full note
The HCP publishes the full note, with regional tables and the EMO2026 survey methodology, on its website in French and Arabic. The note is published by the HCP, not by Moroccopreneur.
FAQ
10.5% in the strict sense, up 0.9 points from the previous quarter, according to the HCP.
173,000 net jobs, a fall of 1.6% from the previous quarter.
An indicator that adds underemployment and the potential labour force to unemployment. It reached 19.6% in Q3 2026.
30.5% among 15 to 24 year olds, with underutilization at 44.5%.
The HCP’s quarterly labour force survey, which is the basis for its labour market notes.
