Morocco's 2025 economic growth robust but inclusion remains insufficient, CESE report finds
Morocco experienced significant economic and social progress in 2025, according to the annual report from the Economic, Social and Environmental Council CESE. The country achieved a 4.9% economic growth, driven by agricultural recovery, infrastructure projects, and a record 19.8 million tourists, making travel revenue the primary source of foreign currency. Foreign direct investments increased by 74.3%, and manufactured exports with intermediate technological content now represent 56% of total exports. The CESE report, adopted in June 2026, highlights the expansion of social protection, with mandatory health insurance covering 88% of the population and direct social aid benefiting 3.9 million families. Education and housing also saw quantitative improvements, with 156 large dams now in service and 62 cities declared slum-free. Despite these advancements, the CESE points out persistent vulnerabilities. The unemployment rate remains high at 13%, particularly affecting youth, women, and graduates. Women's economic activity rate was only 19%, significantly lower than men's 68.5%, with unpaid domestic work representing an economic cost equivalent to 16.4% of GDP. The report also notes that while inflation slowed to 0.8%, food prices are nearly 27% higher than in 2021, impacting purchasing power. Territorial disparities persist, with three regions generating 58.5% of the national GDP. Although renewable energy capacity exceeds 45% of installed power, it only supplied 26.7% of elect