Experts urge new jobs strategy as young Moroccans shun certain sectors

Moroccan economic experts say addressing young people’s reluctance to work in less attractive sectors requires a renewed government approach focused on creating sustainable employment opportunities rather than short-term fixes.

The debate gained momentum after Labor and Economic Inclusion Minister Younes Sekkouri told Parliament on Monday that several sectors are struggling to recruit workers despite the availability of jobs.

Economist Omar Kettani told Hespress AR the problem calls for stronger investment in data-driven labor planning, arguing that employment policy must rely on real-time and medium-term market intelligence to better guide young people toward existing opportunities.

Kettani also criticized the concentration of qualified professionals, including doctors and engineers,  in major cities, calling it an unhealthy imbalance that fuels temporary unemployment among skilled workers. He said policymakers often approach employment solely from an economic angle, overlooking its social and psychological dimensions.

“Structural unemployment is no longer just an economic issue; it has become a social and psychological crisis affecting entire families,” Kettani said, warning that the absence of a broader social vision is hindering meaningful reform.

He also highlighted the growing rural exodus, noting that thousands of people have lost agricultural jobs over the past three years, pushing more families into poverty in urban areas. He called for a national employment, training and skills policy that targets remote regions to ensure a fairer geographic distribution of job opportunities.

Rachid Sari, an economic researcher, pointed to an acute labor shortage in the construction sector, which has led companies to recruit workers from sub-Saharan Africa living in Morocco, often without prioritizing professional qualifications. He said the shortage has driven up wages for skilled trades such as metalwork by more than 30% since July, increasing pressure on the sector.

Sari also warned of a looming collapse of Morocco’s call center industry following the implementation of new French regulations in 2026, a move that could result in layoffs affecting between 99,000 and 100,000 workers.

He raised concerns about the expansion of delivery platforms such as Glovo, which rely heavily on self-employed workers without formal contracts or social security coverage, placing them outside the framework of regulated employment.

Sari criticized Morocco’s reliance on large multinational firms that generate limited employment due to automation, urging greater support for small businesses and the service sector. He said global wealth creation is increasingly concentrated in renewable energy and advanced technology, sectors Morocco must prioritize to ensure long-term job growth.

Looking ahead, Sari questioned the sustainability of employment after the 2030 World Cup, warning that thousands of construction workers could face job losses once major infrastructure projects are completed. He said current projections show Morocco needs to create at least 1 million jobs, a target that will only be achievable through investment in digital industries and clean energy rather than temporary World Cup-related projects.