Child labor in Morocco: A persistent challenge despite progress

Child labor remains a pressing issue in Morocco, particularly affecting rural communities, despite a gradual decline in recent years. According to a report by the High Commission for Planning (HCP), based on the 2024 National Employment Survey, approximately 101,000 children aged 7 to 17 are engaged in economic activities. This represents a reduction of over 8% from 2023 and a nearly 60% decrease since 2017. However, the situation is still dire.

The report highlights that these children constitute about 1.3% of their age group’s total population. A stark disparity exists between urban and rural areas, with only 0.5% of urban children involved in labor compared to 2.5% of their rural counterparts.

Most of these working children are boys, with nearly 85% engaged in labor, predominantly aged between 15 and 17. The majority reside in rural areas, where educational opportunities are scarce, and family farms often replace formal schooling. Over 87% of these children have abandoned their education, some never having enrolled.

In rural settings, children typically work in agriculture, forestry, or fishing, while in urban areas, they find jobs in services or light industry. The nature of their labor varies; many rural children assist their families without pay, while urban children often earn wages or enter informal apprenticeships. Unfortunately, this work frequently exposes them to hazardous conditions.

The report reveals that over 60,000 children face dangerous working environments, particularly in industrial zones and construction sites. Even in agriculture, more than half of these children are subjected to harmful tools, chemicals, or physically strenuous tasks.

Child labor affects approximately 73,000 households, especially in rural regions. Families with more children are more likely to send at least one to work, primarily due to financial need. The educational attainment of a household's head significantly influences child labor prevalence; in families where parents lack formal education, child labor is more common, while it diminishes in households led by more educated individuals.

Although there are signs of progress in reducing child labor, it remains entrenched in Morocco's rural and economically vulnerable communities. These children are trapped in a cycle of poverty and limited educational access. The decline in child labor figures is encouraging, but the underlying issues call for sustained and targeted efforts.