Morocco Unveils Sweeping Reforms Amid Youth Unrest

Morocco Unveils Sweeping Reforms Amid Youth Unrest

The Moroccan government has unveiled a series of reforms aimed at addressing youth grievances and promoting greater political and social inclusion, following a wave of youth-led protests across the country.

The proposed measures, announced on Sunday, include initiatives to strengthen public services, expand healthcare and education, and encourage young people to participate in politics.

According to official sources, the draft finance bill for 2026 will prioritise social sectors, notably public education and healthcare — two areas that have long drawn demands for reform from protesters. The government has also proposed financial incentives for young candidates, covering up to 75 percent of their campaign expenses, to ease their participation in elections.

Another bill seeks to bolster transparency within political parties and support greater involvement of women and youth in political life. The reforms are part of a broader strategy to revitalise Morocco’s political landscape and make it more responsive to rapid social change.

In a royal address in July, King Mohammed VI urged the government to ensure that Morocco does not become “a nation moving at two speeds” and called for sweeping social reforms by the end of the year.

The recent youth-led protests, sparked by the deaths of eight pregnant women at a hospital in Agadir, have evolved into a wider movement demanding government accountability and an end to corruption. The online-based group “GenZ 212” has become the face of this new wave of activism.

In response, the government announced an increase in social spending for the coming year, allocating nearly $13 million to health and education and creating over 27,000 jobs in those sectors. Plans include the opening of new university hospitals — including one in Western Sahara — and the renovation of 90 existing facilities.

In education, authorities aim to expand pre-school coverage, enhance teacher training, and improve student support systems.

During his address to parliament on October 10, the monarch also urged lawmakers to prioritise development in disadvantaged rural and mountainous regions.

Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch earlier told parliament that Morocco’s budget for health and education had already risen by 65 percent between 2021 and 2025. Despite progress, official data show that limited access to education remains one of the key drivers of poverty, which has declined from nearly 12 percent in 2014 to 6.8 percent in 2024.