Unemployment rises to 10.5% in the third quarter as 173,000 jobs are lost
New figures from the High Commission for Planning show the job market weakening over the summer, with young people and city dwellers hit hardest.
- Unemployment rate: 10.5% in Q3 2026, up from 9.5% in Q2
- Net employment fell by 173,000 (−1.6%) to about 10.5 million
- Youth (15–24) unemployment: 30.5%, up from 27.2%
- Urban rate 12.5%, rural rate 6.9%, women 16.7%
Morocco's unemployment rate climbed to 10.5% in the third quarter of 2026, according to labour market data published on 3 November by the Haut-Commissariat au Plan (HCP), the national statistics agency. That is up from 9.5% in the second quarter and close to the 10.8% recorded at the start of the year.
The economy lost a net 173,000 jobs over the quarter, a fall of 1.6%, bringing total employment to about 10.5 million people. The labour force stands at around 11.7 million, which means roughly 1.2 million Moroccans are looking for work.
Who is most affected
| Group | Unemployment rate, Q3 2026 |
|---|---|
| Young people (15–24) | 30.5% |
| Women | 16.7% |
| Urban areas | 12.5% |
| Rural areas | 6.9% |
| All workers | 10.5% |
Youth unemployment rose more than three points in a single quarter, from 27.2%. The broader underemployment measure, which also counts people who want more hours or more work, reached 19.6%.
Big gaps between regions
Labour underuse ranges from 9.2% in Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab to 38.7% in Guelmim-Oued Noun. Participation in the labour market also varies widely, from about 30% of adults in Draa-Tafilalet to almost 65% in Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab.
A new survey, so compare with care
The HCP introduced a new employment survey this year (EMO2026), with changes to methods and definitions. Figures for 2026 are therefore not directly comparable with older series. The next quarterly release is expected early next year.