Morocco will struggle to address regional disparities

Significance

This speech reiterated sentiments from the one he delivered on July 30 marking his 20 years in power, in which he highlighted the need to reduce inequality, create more jobs and improve education. Recent reports from the IMF and the World Bank have echoed the king’s concerns about the shortcomings of Morocco’s economic performance.

Impacts

• Higher growth and more private investment will be needed to address high youth unemployment and declining labour force participation.
• Morocco’s rising level of public debt is no cause for alarm yet, but it is an important risk factor for the medium term.
• Economic issues have the potential to intensify political unrest -- even against the king himself.