The High Commission for Planning (HCP) unveiled, this Tuesday in Rabat, the detailed results of the General Population and Housing Census 2024 (RGPH 2024). Presented by Chakib Benmoussa, High Commissioner for Planning, these data offer an overview of demographic and socio-economic developments in Morocco, marked by continued urbanization and notable challenges in terms of employment and inequalities.
According to official figures, the Moroccan population reaches 36.8 million inhabitants on September 1, 2024, with an average annual growth rate of 0.85% over the last decade. Urbanization is progressing to establish itself in 62,8%compared to 51.4% in 1994, with a strong concentration in seven large cities, including Casablanca which alone is home to 3.2 million inhabitants. At the same time, the fertility index is falling, reaching 1.97 children per womanbelow the replacement threshold.
On the economic level, the census highlights a declining activity rate has 41,6% for those aged 15 and over, compared to 47.6% in 2014, as well as an increase in unemployment rate has 21,3%particularly pronounced in rural areas and among women. These challenges are accentuated by significant regional disparities, despite an overall improvement in access to medical coverage which today concerns 69.8% of the population.
In terms of human capitalnotable progress has been recorded, particularly in schooling and literacy. The average duration of schooling reached 6.3 yearscompared to 4.4 in 2014, while the illiteracy rate decreased to 24,8%. On the housing side, modernization continues with 61.5% of urban household owners of their housing and almost general access to electricity (97.1%).
Finally, the results of the mapping of economic establishments (CEE) show that Morocco has 1.3 million active establishmentsdont 1.1 million for profitgenerating 3.6 million permanent jobs. However, only 10% of establishments are managed by womena figure that highlights persistent challenges in gender equality. These results reflect the progress made, but also highlight the efforts necessary to respond to the country’s demographic and socio-economic challenges.
M.Ba.
