Achieving that outcome will require a strong reform programme to shift the economy from steady growth to transformative, job-rich expansion.
The Morocco Growth and Jobs Report and the Morocco Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) link macroeconomic reforms to sector-level opportunities, highlighting reforms aimed at deepening market competition, unlocking private investment, and bringing more women and youth into the formal economy.
The analysis notes that Morocco has made progress, but job creation remains insufficient, particularly for women and youth. Between 2000 and 2024, the working-age population expanded nearly 2.5 times faster than employment. Around 40% of industries operate under limited competitive pressure, constraining firm growth and productivity gains. Women’s labour force participation remains among the lowest globally and continues to decline despite improving educational attainment.
The Growth and Jobs Report proposes reforms structured around four outcomes: more efficient and competitive markets, more dynamic firms, more impactful public investment, and more inclusive labour markets. The report projects the reforms could generate 2.5 million additional jobs by 2050 alongside the 2035 target.
IBRD Division Director for the Maghreb and Malta Ahmadou Moustapha Ndiaye said the policy package could help deepen private investment and create stronger opportunities for women and youth. Ndiaye said World Bank Group support remains committed to the reform journey alongside Morocco.
The CPSD identifies medium-term opportunities to catalyse private investment in four sectors: decentralised solar power generation, low-carbon textiles, argan-based cosmetics, and marine aquaculture. The diagnostic argues that investment remains low relative to peer economies due to regulatory complexity, administrative bottlenecks, and skills gaps.
The CPSD estimates that targeted reforms could unlock about $7.4 billion in private investment and support more than 166 000 jobs in the four sub-sectors over the next 5 to 10 years.
IFC Division Director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa Cheick-Oumar Sylla said the opportunity is substantial, with potential investment mobilisation equivalent to about 4% of GDP, if constraints are addressed.
–IMF/ChannelAfrica–
