Morocco’s unemployment rate stood at 10.8% in the first quarter of 2026, according to a new information note released by the High Commission for Planning (HCP) on the labour market situation, based on the Labour Force Survey (EMO 2026).

The rate varies significantly depending on location, reaching 13.5% in urban areas compared to 6.1% in rural regions. It is also markedly higher among young people, with unemployment affecting 29.2% of those aged 15 to 24, followed by 16.1% for the 25 to 34 age group.

In total, 1,253,000 people were unemployed in the strict sense during Q1-2026, with nearly 79.6% living in urban areas. The survey also shows that 671,000 employed individuals were in a situation of time-related underemployment, reflecting insufficient working hours.

The HCP estimates the potential labour force at 884,000 people, representing 5.5% of the population outside the labour market.

The combined rate of unemployment and time-related underemployment reached 16.6% at the national level, rising to 18.3% in urban areas and 13.6% in rural areas. This indicator highlights continued pressure on employment, particularly in cities.

More broadly, the composite measure of labour underutilization—which includes unemployment, underemployment, and potential labour force—stood at 22.5%. It reached 45.3% among young people aged 15 to 24, underlining their strong exposure to labour market difficulties.

The EMO 2026 survey represents the first edition of a new generation of labour market surveys in Morocco, aligned with updated international standards adopted by the International Labour Organization (ILO). It replaces the former National Employment Survey.