Hope and scepticism among youth as Morocco goes to the polls

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-22T11:10:36.916Z • Permanent link

Fresh data from the Moroccan government reveals a surge in voter turnout among young people, with nearly 60% of 18- to 30-year-olds planning to cast their ballots. This shift has sparked concerns among opposition parties, who fear that the government's efforts to engage younger voters may be a tactical move to shore up support. However, polling data suggests that younger Moroccans are increasingly disillusioned with the country's stagnant economic growth and lack of job opportunities. Data from the Moroccan National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) indicates that nearly 40% of young Moroccans are currently unemployed, while many others are forced to work multiple jobs to make ends meet.

Critics of the government argue that its efforts to woo younger voters are a thinly veiled attempt to distract from its failure to address the country's deep-seated economic and social problems. Rabat-based think tank, the Moroccan Policy Centre for Economic and Social Development (MPC), has released a report highlighting the need for more inclusive economic policies that address the needs of young Moroccans. According to MPC estimates, the country's youth population will account for over 40% of the workforce by 2030, making it essential that policymakers prioritize their needs.

Government officials, however, insist that their efforts to engage younger voters are a genuine attempt to promote greater civic participation and inclusivity. Rabat's Prime Minister, Aziz Benhaddou, has vowed to increase investment in education and job training programs, while also introducing reforms aimed at reducing unemployment and promoting entrepreneurship. Morocco's King Mohammed VI has also taken steps to engage with younger Moroccans, hosting a series of town hall meetings and online forums to discuss key issues affecting the country.

Morocco's legislative elections have significant implications for the global financial markets, particularly in the context of emerging markets and the Middle East. Companies operating in the region, such as Morocco's state-owned bank, BMCE, and the French multinational, Engie, are watching the election closely, as they are heavily invested in the country's energy and infrastructure sectors. Research communities and think tanks, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, are also monitoring the election, as it has implications for the country's economic stability and the region's overall growth prospects.

A loss of confidence in the government could lead to a decline in foreign investment, which would have far-reaching consequences for the country's economy. The IMF has warned that Morocco's economic growth is at risk of slowing down due to high debt levels and a lack of competitiveness. If the opposition wins a majority, it could lead to a shift in the country's economic policies, which could have positive or negative impacts on the global economy, depending on the specifics of the new government's agenda.

Morocco's legislative elections are taking place in a broader regional context marked by ongoing instability and competition for influence. The Arab Spring protests that swept across the Middle East in 2011 have left a lasting legacy, with many countries in the region struggling to establish stable and effective governments. The election is also taking place against the backdrop of a long-standing rivalry between Morocco's government and its Islamist opposition, which has been a major factor in the country's politics for decades.