Morocco’s illiteracy rate stands at 24.8% among people aged 10 and above, according to data from the National Agency for the Fight Against Illiteracy based on the 2024 General Census of Population and Housing, marking a decline from 2014.
In a written response to a question on literacy programs from parliamentary advisor Khalid Setti of the National Labor Union in Morocco, the agency said about 2.4 million people benefited from literacy programs over the past four years as part of efforts to reduce illiteracy and improve education and training levels.
The agency pointed to ongoing structural challenges, including around 400,000 new illiterate individuals each year due to early school dropout, as well as cases of relapse after training linked to limited daily use of reading and writing skills.
Illiteracy remains significantly higher among women, at 32.4%, compared to 17.2% among men.
The rate also increases with age, reaching 51% among people aged 50 and above.
At the regional level, rural areas are the most affected, with a rate of 43.4%, compared to 19.3% in urban areas. Rural women record the highest level, at 55.1%.
Over the past decade, the illiteracy rate has declined from 32.2% in 2014 to 24.8% in 2024. Women’s illiteracy fell from 42.1% to 32.4%, while men’s dropped from 22.2% to 17.2%.
Regarding program outcomes, the agency said the 2024–2025 academic year recorded 455,781 beneficiaries.
Civil society organizations accounted for the largest share, with more than 294,000 beneficiaries, or about 65% of the total.
More than 140,000 people also benefited from programs implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs.
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