Morocco's youth population projected to decline significantly by 2050, UN report indicates
via Le Matin2 min read
A United Nations report, "World Population Highlights 2026: Youth," forecasts a notable shift in Morocco's demographic trajectory, with the 15-24 age group expected to decrease from 6.2 million in 2025 to 5.6 million in 2050, a reduction of approximately 580,000 young people. This represents nearly a 9% decline and marks a significant change, as youth have historically been a dominant demographic in Morocco. Their proportion of the total population is projected to fall from 20.9% in 2000 to 14.1% in 2025, and further to 7.6% by 2050, moving Morocco away from a predominantly young society. This demographic transformation is driven by declining fertility rates since the 1990s and increased life expectancy due to health advancements. The age pyramid is narrowing at the base and widening at the top, indicating a gradual shift towards an older population. This trend aligns Morocco with upper-middle-income economies experiencing similar dynamics, where youth populations are generally declining, with an expected 24% drop by 2050. This contrasts sharply with many other African low-income countries, where youth populations continue to grow rapidly. While a smaller youth population might temporarily ease pressure on education and labor markets, it raises concerns about workforce renewal, social system financing, and economic growth in the medium term. The UN report emphasizes that the focus for public policies should shift from managing a growing youth population to maximizing the pote
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