Morocco is a developing country. Morocco, a middle-income country with a per capita income of more than USD3400, has improved its various grounds — leading to improved living standards for its citizens — and has development potentials in economic, social and other aspects. It has the potential to improve strategic infrastructures, automotive manufacturing and the digital economy, expand renewable energy and develop human capital further. Because of its strategic location bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, it has the opportunity to draw more investment especially foreign direct investment and become a hub for regional and international business that can help improve its economic and other conditions further. Consequently, Morocco has further potential to improve the quality of life of its people.
But there are economic, political and other challenges to the Kingdom of Morocco that impact the lives of many people and put hindrances to development. Sluggish economic transformation, poverty, persistent social inequalities and a lack of opportunities especially for a large segment of inactive youth are some of the crucial development challenges in Morocco. Morocco, which has remained relatively stable since its independence, also grapples with income inequality, gaps in the social protection system and limited opportunities for women. High youth unemployment (at 35.8 percent), low private sector investment, widespread informal labor and regional disparities have led to poverty, low income and economic uncertainty for many in Morocco. There are also slow bureaucratic processes, a weak public sector capacity in service delivery, limited access to quality social services especially in rural areas and difficulties in environmental protection and water management.
There is also widespread corruption in the government institutions, a lack of transparency in government procurement and persistent rural-urban disparities that impact the lives of many in Morocco, which became independent from France and Spain in 1956. The limited freedom of expression and political freedom including the freedom of political assembly and association in Morocco are some other crucial development challenges. Pertinently saying, there is a centralized monarchy that limits space for independent opposition and critical discourse — with state-aligned media used to suppress dissent — in Morocco. Amongst other development challenges, there are human rights violations, particularly torture and degrading treatment of detainees and protesters and , a lack of transparency and accountability among those involved in such violations.
But, optimistically saying, Morocco has taken policy measures and other efforts to address diverse development barriers and foster human development. Pertinently saying, Morocco has been implementing its promising New Development Model to address development challenges by focusing on economic transformation, human capital development, inclusion and sustainable territories through improved governance. Amongst the others, the government has taken the Digital Morocco 2030, the Direct Social Benefit Program and other steps aiming to increase the accountability and transparency in government institutions and address other challenges to development. Efforts have helped decentralize, improve the business environment by increasing transparency in procurement, promote sustainable practices and resource management and improve media freedom.
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But various flaws lead to the limited outcomes of the development initiatives of Morocco, a constitutional monarchy with multi-party political system, and impact human development. There is a lack of coherence between development visions and policy implementation, the lack of coordination between different government agencies and insufficient public sector capacity. Pertinently saying, Morocco faces a significant implementation gap between its developed policies and actual outcomes. Additionally, there is a lack of representing local context in development solutions and cultural impediments like rigid hierarchies that put hindrances. Amongst others, the efforts of the government are less to address significant socioeconomic disparities in Morocco.
But further efforts are vital to address various development challenges in Morocco to foster human development for all. For this, improving macro and micro economic conditions, ensuring economic diversity and reducing the informal economy with better incentives, along with the implementation of the government’s policy based measures, are vital and will help. But emphasis also needs to be given to improving human capital and reducing the financial gap and disparities between different regions and groups. The vulnerable groups of people need to be given opportunities — along with strengthening social safety programs.
But the government also needs to address corruption within the government institutions and bureaucratic challenges to promote development as desirable in Morocco. Additionally, it is vital to address the violation of crucial rights of Moroccans. Political rights violations, torture and arbitrary detention need to be addressed. More space in politics particularly for elected bodies and citizens will help improve various conditions in Morocco further. But the freedom of media needs to be given more further.
