The services sector remains the largest employer in Morocco, accounting for 49.2% of total employment, with 5.155 million people employed, according to the Haut-Commissariat au Plan. This sector continues to dominate the country's employment landscape. The data was released for the third quarter of 2026. Employment figures show a significant presence of services in urban areas.
The agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector ranks second, with 2.425 million people employed, representing 23.2% of total employment. The industry sector employs 1.526 million people, accounting for 14.6% of total employment. The construction sector has 1.354 million people employed, making up 12.9% of total employment. These numbers indicate a diverse employment landscape across various sectors.
The distribution of employment varies significantly between urban and rural areas. In urban areas, 64.2% of employed individuals work in the services sector. The industry sector ranks second in urban areas, with 18.9% of employed individuals. In contrast, agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the primary sectors in rural areas, accounting for 54.1% of employment.
The services sector occupies the second position in rural areas, with 24.1% of employed individuals. Between the second and third quarters of 2026, the industry sector recorded a net increase in employment, gaining 69,000 posts, representing a 4.8% increase. This growth is notable in an otherwise challenging employment landscape.
In contrast, the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector experienced a significant decline, losing 145,000 posts, which corresponds to a 5.6% decrease. The services sector lost 96,000 posts, representing a 1.8% decline. The construction sector saw a limited decrease of 3,000 posts, or -0.2%. These changes reflect fluctuations in employment across sectors.
The Haut-Commissariat au Plan's data provides insights into Morocco's employment trends. With 11.69 million people making up the workforce in the third quarter of 2026, the country's employment landscape faces various challenges. The data highlights the need for continued analysis of employment trends to inform policy decisions.
Key sectors, including services and industry, play a crucial role in Morocco's employment landscape. Understanding these trends can help policymakers develop targeted strategies to address employment challenges. The country's employment landscape continues to evolve, with various sectors contributing to the workforce.
Key points
- The services sector accounts for 49.2% of total employment in Morocco.
- The industry sector recorded a 4.8% increase in employment between the second and third quarters of 2026.
- Employment trends vary significantly between urban and rural areas in Morocco.
