Morocco Between Two Speeds: National Growth and Regional Disparities – A Reality that Requires a Bold Vision
Najeeba Jalal
His Majesty King Mohammed VI stated in his speech that Morocco today is moving at two different speeds, reflecting an economic and social reality that cannot be ignored. This reality is confirmed by data from the High Commission for Planning for the year 2023. While national growth appears on paper at a rate of 3.7%, regional analyses reveal a vast disparity among regions, presenting Morocco with a dual challenge: maintaining respectable growth rates at the macro level while simultaneously addressing the deep gaps that threaten social cohesion and the future of sustainable development.
Regions that have achieved high growth rates are not just numbers on paper; they exemplify what can happen when there is a clear investment vision and economic diversification. Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab recorded a growth rate of 10.1%, driven by investments in fishing and public works, while Fez-Meknes grew by 8.9% due to strong performance in agriculture and services, and Marrakech-Safi saw a 6.3% increase fueled by a revival in tourism and hospitality. These regions have demonstrated an ability to transform investments into tangible growth and real opportunities for citizens.
Conversely, when examining other regions, the stark contrast becomes evident. Béni Mellal-Khénifra saw a contraction of 1.3%, and the Eastern Region contracted by 1% due to the vulnerability of the production base and its near-complete reliance on the agricultural sector and its climate fluctuations. This reality raises a fundamental question: how can citizens in a region dependent on natural resources expect to have the same economic opportunities as those in industrial or advanced tourist regions?
Disparity extends beyond the pace of growth; it also affects per capita GDP, which amounts to 89,533 dirhams in Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab compared to only 25,324 dirhams in Drâa-Tafilalet—more than threefold. These significant income gaps reflect a concentration of wealth in three economic hubs: Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, and Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima, which control 58.5% of the gross domestic product, while much of Morocco lags behind this economic line, awaiting equal opportunities to contribute to development.
The sectoral structure complicates the picture further. Regions that heavily depend on the primary sector, such as Fez-Meknes, Drâa-Tafilalet, Souss-Massa, and Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, become hostage to climate risks, droughts, and fluctuations in water resources, while the heart of industry and services remains concentrated in limited hubs. Domestic demand reflects this concentration: five regions account for three-quarters of household spending, with Casablanca-Settat alone representing a quarter of national consumption. This reality indicates that local markets in many regions lack vitality, and job opportunities and public services are not evenly distributed.
From here, the bitter truth becomes clear: national growth is not the problem, but its quality and distribution are. “Acceptable” rates at the national level may conceal structural fragility and social disparities threatening long-term social cohesion. Morocco urgently needs bold territorial policies that redirect public and private investments according to regional impact indicators, supporting economic diversification in lagging regions—from water-smart agriculture and small industries to value-added services—ensuring that each region has the capacity to effectively contribute to national growth.
The challenge transcends the economy and reaches social structure: the continued concentration of economic activity in two primary industrial hubs could deepen regional disparities and foster a sense of exclusion among entire areas, impacting social stability and trust in the state. The new development model, which bets on spatial justice, is not an option but a necessity to ensure that Morocco moves at parallel, not contradictory, speeds, and to transform disparities from a threat into an opportunity for innovation and integrated development.
Ultimately, Morocco faces a real test of the capacity of the state and civil society to transform official figures into a tangible reality that ensures true spatial justice and comprehensive economic balance, placing all regions on the path to sustainable development. Only through this approach can Morocco transform from a country with “double-speed growth” into a model of balanced development, where every citizen feels that their effort and place in the nation reflect their real opportunity for progress and prosperity.
