Decent Work Pilot Programme
Country Brief: Morocco I The National Context

Morocco is a middle-income country pursuing political, social and economic modernization. Since taking over from his father in 1999, Kind Mohammed VI has shifted the country to a constitutional monarchy, introduced legislation to promote women’s rights and made fighting poverty a central aim. At the same time, the government has embarked on ambitious economic reforms to boost the country’s growth rate and spread its benefits more widely. These efforts come in response to persistent economic and social problems faced by Morocco. Despite rapid industrialization, the Moroccan economy remains heavily dependent on agriculture and vulnerable to climatic conditions and the evolution of export markets. Moreover, its sizable textile sector is facing increased competition following the elimination of international quotas in January 2005. Rates of poverty have risen, reflecting sluggish economic growth during the 1990s. Although it has made considerable progress in improving human development in recent years, Morocco trails other countries in its region in a number of indicators and is ranked 124 out of 177 countries in the U.N. Human Development Index. Trading Nation With a population of about 30 million, Morocco has a fairly diverse economy in which trade plays an important role. Agriculture continues be a major factor in overall economic performance, with the sector accounting for about 15 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) and employing 40 per cent of the labour force. About 25 per cent of the labour force is engaged in industry and 35 per cent in services. Main industrial activities are textile production, mining of phosphates and food processing, while services are dominated by tourism and commerce. The economy is relatively open, with exports and imports accounting for about 50 per cent of GDP. Europe is Morocco’s major trading partner, and exports include textiles, agricultural and