How is the female job market in Morocco ?

Women in Morocco continue to face a range of barriers that limit their participation in the
workforce. These obstacles are multifaceted and include gender norms, the legal framework, and
structural and demographic factors. Women are expected to prioritize domestic work and take
care of children, while men are the primary breadwinners. These norms are reinforced by the
discriminatory hiring practices that women face when attempting to enter the workforce.

A new report from Morocco’s Higher Commission for Planning (HCP)

shows that in 2022, 73% of the 15 million active population outside the
labor force were women. HCP data further indicates that a sweeping 80% of
Morocco’s female population of working age is outside the labor market.

Surprisingly, female labor participation rates dropped even lower in urban

areas in the same period, with nearly 82% of women of working age outside
the labor market. The number edged lower to 77% for rural areas.

On the overall state of employment in Morocco, the report shows that a

quarter of Morocco’s population aged between 15 and 24, or 1.5 million
nationwide, are not working, in school, or pursuing a degree in vocational
training. 73% of them are women, with nearly 41% married and 68% degree
holders.

Furthermore, The International Labor Organization (ILO) identifies socio-

economic constraints as the primary global obstacle to women’s
employment. The ILO further reports that women encounter significant
challenges in balancing work and family, addressing marital status,
and accessing reliable transportation.

The economic benefits of closing the gender gap in the labor market.

Reducing gender inequality of opportunities has a productivity effect. In

2012, the World Bank (2012) estimated that labor productivity could rise by
25% in some developing countries if barriers to women working in certain
sectors or occupations were scrapped.
On a related matter, it pointed out that maize yields would rise by almost
one-sixth in Malawi and Ghana if women farmers were given the same
access as men to fertilizers and other inputs.
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