Morocco’s informal economy reached 2.03 million production units in 2023, marking a significant increase of more than 353,000 units compared to 2014, according to the latest report by the High Commission for Planning (HCP).
This growth is primarily urban, with 77.3% of informal units located in cities. The Casablanca region alone accounts for 22.7%, making it the most concentrated hub of informal economic activity in the country.
The majority of these units are micro-enterprises, with 85.5% employing only one person. Unlike larger units that have four or more workers, most informal businesses often lack professional premises and have limited access to essential infrastructure, like electricity, drinking water, sanitation and internet.
Even among those with a professional premise, administrative registration remains low, although there are some indications of gradual improvement, according to the same source.
The sector is still predominantly male-dominated, although there has been a noticeable increase in average education levels among workers. According to the HCP, financial necessity continues to be the main driver behind the creation of informal businesses—particularly among women.
When it comes to funding, the vast majority of informal enterprises rely almost exclusively on self-financing, rarely turning to bank loans. At the same time, the sectoral structure of informal production is undergoing some shifts, with a moderate decline in trade, steady growth in services, and continued stability in the construction sector.
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