L’Moroccan TPME Observatory (OMTPE) published the fifth edition of its annual report, offering a detailed analysis of the evolution of the Moroccan productive fabric in the face of recent challenges. The document highlights trends and transformations in companies affiliated with the CNSS between 2016 and 2023while examining their regional distribution and their impact on employment.
Sustained growth, but a post-Covid slowdown
Between 2016 and 2023, the number of companies affiliated with the CNSS experienced a notable increase, going from 202,649 to 332,102, an average annual increase of 7.9%. However, this pace slowed to 5% on average after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The number of affiliated employees also increased, reaching 3,987,741 in 2023 compared to 3,280,000 in 2016, representing an average annual increase of 2.7%. Notably, this growth accelerated after the health crisisreaching 4.9% per year, compared to 2% previously.
Regional disparities
The regional examination reveals contrasting developments. Casablanca-Settatalthough still the leader with 32.1% of affiliated companies and 38.3% of employees in 2023, saw its share decline compared to 2016 (36% and 45.1%, respectively). This slowdown can be explained in particular by economic growth post-Covid limited to 1.1% per year, compared to 5.9% before the crisis.
On the other hand, regions like Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima et Marrakech-Safi stood out. Driven by average annual economic growth of 4.2% and 3.8% respectively, they have seen their shares of businesses and jobs increase. In 2023, these regions accounted for 10% and 11.5% of declared businesses and jobs, compared to 9.1% and 10.4% in 2016.
The predominance of small businesses
Between 2016 and 2023, approximately 86% of companies reporting to the CNSS had fewer than 10 employees. Those employing between 11 and 50 employees increased slightly, from 10.7% in 2016 to 11.1% in 2023.
SMEs facing post-Covid challenges
Despite their central role in employment (73% of declared employees on average), TPME have not regained their dynamism pre-Covid. Their average annual growth in terms of jobs fell from 8.7% before the pandemic to 6% after.
Large companies, on the other hand, maintained a stable share of around 27% of declared jobs, while recording a more marked increase after the pandemicwith average annual growth of 15.1% compared to 6.8% before the crisis.
This report illustrates the structural challenges and economic changes facing the Moroccan productive fabric, while highlighting the efforts of the different regions to boost their businesses and strengthen employment.
