Urban poverty risks rise in Morocco despite national progress

A recent survey conducted by Morocco’s High Commission for Planning (HCP) highlights an alarming increase in vulnerability to poverty within urban areas, signaling a need for targeted interventions.

The national survey, based on data from 18,000 households collected between March 2022 and March 2023, reveals a slight rise in the population at risk of falling into poverty, climbing from 12.5% in 2014 to 12.9% in 2022. This trend is particularly concerning for urban centers, where the majority of Morocco’s population resides.

While Morocco’s overall poverty rate has seen improvements, with the absolute poverty rate dropping from 4.8% in 2014 to 3.9% in 2022, urban areas have experienced a reversal. Poverty in cities increased from 1.6% in 2014 to 2.2% in 2022, reflecting growing economic challenges for urban households. In contrast, rural areas have seen steadier declines in poverty rates.

The report also indicates that vulnerability in urban areas has grown significantly. In 2014, 7.9% of urban residents were classified as vulnerable to poverty; by 2022, this figure had risen to 9.5%. Meanwhile, rural areas, though maintaining a higher vulnerability rate of 19.2%, have shown relative stability over recent years.

Economic vulnerability is further exacerbated by rising living costs. Urban households now allocate larger portions of their budgets to food and housing, with food expenditures increasing from 37% in 2014 to 38.2% in 2022. However, incomes have failed to keep pace with inflation and escalating commodity prices, leaving many families struggling to make ends meet.

Despite government programs aimed at alleviating poverty, such as social safety nets targeting the poorest households, the report underscores their limited reach in addressing the growing needs of urban populations. Many households remain excluded from these protections, deepening the socio-economic divide.

The findings spotlight the urgent need for policies that enhance access to social protections, create sustainable employment opportunities, and address housing affordability, particularly in urban areas, to curb the rising vulnerability to poverty.