In 2024, the projected poverty rate based on the national poverty line in Morocco was at *** percent. This was a decrease from the 2023 projection, which was *** percent. Poverty levels in the country fluctuated over the years under review. This is likely related to the economic issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Comparative poverty levels In the region of Northern Africa, Morocco had the lowest projected poverty headcount ratio among the countries in 2023. However, Morocco ranked among the leading 20 countries with the highest multidimensional poverty index score worldwide. According to a survey conducted in 2019, almost ** percent of people in Morocco believed that education was the most effective poverty reduction strategy, followed by job creation and employment. Growing inequality in Morocco A 2019 survey showed that the majority of people in Morocco felt that the gap between the rich and the poor was getting worse. Morocco’s Gini coefficient, a common measure of income inequality, showed that the country had a relatively high income disparity, and this was forecasted to increase in the future. Furthermore, African countries have some of the highest Gini coefficient indexes worldwide.

Poverty rate at national poverty line of Morocco plummeted by 18.75% from 4.8 % in 2013 to 3.9 % in 2022. Since the 41.83% drop in 2007, poverty rate at national poverty line sank by 56.18% in 2022. National poverty rate is the percentage of the population living below the national poverty line. National estimates are based on population-weighted subgroup estimates from household surveys.

Historical dataset showing Morocco poverty rate by year from 1984 to 2013.

In 2019, the average poverty rate in Moroccan households stood at less than *** percent in urban areas and about **** percent in rural areas. This marked a significant drop in poverty rate since 2001 when the ratio stood at *** percent and **** percent, respectively.

Morocco MA: Poverty Gap at $2.15 a Day: 2017 PPP: % data was reported at 0.300 % in 2013. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.800 % for 2006. Morocco MA: Poverty Gap at $2.15 a Day: 2017 PPP: % data is updated yearly, averaging 1.250 % from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2013, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.000 % in 1984 and a record low of 0.300 % in 2013. Morocco MA: Poverty Gap at $2.15 a Day: 2017 PPP: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Morocco – Table MA.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. Poverty gap at $2.15 a day (2017 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $2.15 a day (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.;World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.;;The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

In 2019, the average poverty rate in Moroccan households stood at *** percent among households headed by men. In contrast, families with female household heads recorded a poverty rate of *** percent. The poverty rate generally declined in the country from 2001 onwards.

3.9 (%) in 2022. National poverty rate is the percentage of the population living below the national poverty line. National estimates are based on population-weighted subgroup estimates from household surveys.

According to the 1998-99 Living Standards Measurement Survey conducted in Moroocco, poverty showed a disturbing increase during the 1990s, regardless of how poverty is measured. This report updates the poverty profile for Morocco following the comprehensive approach suggested by the latest World Development Report (see report no. 20888 for an overview of this report). It presents a detailed analysis of 1) Poverty trends in the 1990s (Chapter 2), 2) which factors are key in explaining the observed increase in poverty (Chapter 3), and 3) the support given to the poor by Government intervention (Chapter 4). An overview of the main initiatives taken by the authorities as well as by nongovernmental organizations and private businesses in the late 1990s is presented in the first chapter; their effects, though not captured by the 1998/99 data, are likely to have a significant impact on poverty reduction in the coming years.

Morocco Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: UNDP: % of total population data was reported at 6.400 % in 2017. Morocco Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: UNDP: % of total population data is updated yearly, averaging 6.400 % from Dec 2017 (Median) to 2017, with 1 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.400 % in 2017 and a record low of 6.400 % in 2017. Morocco Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: UNDP: % of total population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Morocco – Table MA.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. The multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (UNDP) is the percentage of a population living in poverty according to UNDPs multidimensional poverty index. The index includes three dimensions -- health, education, and living standards.;Alkire, S., Kanagaratnam, U., and Suppa, N. (2023). ‘The global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2023 country results and methodological note’, OPHI MPI Methodological Note 55, Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), University of Oxford. (https://ophi.org.uk/mpi-methodological-note-55-2/);;

Rural poverty rate of Morocco sank by 42.63% from 25.1 % in 2000 to 14.4 % in 2007. Since the 3.72% growth in 2000, rural poverty rate plummeted by 42.63% in 2007. Rural poverty rate is the percentage of the rural population living below the national rural poverty line.

As of 2019, ** percent of *** respondents in Morocco felt that education was one of the ways poverty could be alleviated in the country. This was followed by measures such as job creation or employment, pointed out by ** percent of the stakeholder respondents. Poverty is one of the major issues that can be identified in Morocco. In 2019, it was estimated that almost ************ Moroccans could be considered poor or threatened by poverty.

8.4 (%) in 2013. Poverty gap at $5.50 a day (2011 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $5.50 a day (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.

Morocco MA: Proportion of People Living Below 50 Percent Of Median Income: % data was reported at 11.700 % in 2013. This records a decrease from the previous number of 11.900 % for 2006. Morocco MA: Proportion of People Living Below 50 Percent Of Median Income: % data is updated yearly, averaging 12.850 % from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2013, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14.000 % in 1984 and a record low of 11.700 % in 2013. Morocco MA: Proportion of People Living Below 50 Percent Of Median Income: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Morocco – Table MA.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. The percentage of people in the population who live in households whose per capita income or consumption is below half of the median income or consumption per capita. The median is measured at 2017 Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) using the Poverty and Inequality Platform (http://www.pip.worldbank.org). For some countries, medians are not reported due to grouped and/or confidential data. The reference year is the year in which the underlying household survey data was collected. In cases for which the data collection period bridged two calendar years, the first year in which data were collected is reported.;World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.;;The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

Morocco MA: Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: Household: % of total households data was reported at 7.700 % in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 8.600 % for 2011. Morocco MA: Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: Household: % of total households data is updated yearly, averaging 8.150 % from Dec 2011 (Median) to 2014, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.600 % in 2011 and a record low of 7.700 % in 2014. Morocco MA: Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: Household: % of total households data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Morocco – Table MA.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. ;Government statistical agencies. Data for EU countires are from the EUROSTAT;;

Morocco MA: Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: Female: % of female population data was reported at 8.200 % in 2014. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9.800 % for 2011. Morocco MA: Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: Female: % of female population data is updated yearly, averaging 9.000 % from Dec 2011 (Median) to 2014, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.800 % in 2011 and a record low of 8.200 % in 2014. Morocco MA: Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: Female: % of female population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Morocco – Table MA.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. ;Government statistical agencies. Data for EU countires are from the EUROSTAT;;

As of 2019, while ** percent of *** respondents in Morocco felt that the gap that exists between the rich and the poor in the country was getting worse, ** percent of them thought that it was getting somewhat worse. Moreover, ** percent of the surveyed stakeholders indicated that the wealth gap had remained the same. Poverty is one of the major issues identified in Morocco, and lack of irrigation in crop production, as well as unemployment, are some of the attributed reasons. In 2019, it was estimated that almost ************ Moroccans could be considered poor or threatened by poverty.

.This study investigates the relationship between nighttime light (NTL) intensity and rural multidimensional poverty across 75 Moroccan provinces, using VIIRS and MODIS satellite data with spatial econometric models (SAR, SEM, SDM). A strong negative correlation (R² = 0.83, p < 0.01) confirms NTL as a reliable poverty proxy. Spatial spillover effects (γ = 0.031, p < 0.05) highlight the influence of neighboring provinces, suggesting regionally interconnected poverty mechanisms. NTL decomposition underscores the role of agricultural areas development. Hotspot analysis reveals persistent deprivation in the northeast and south. The study supports data-driven, spatially informed strategies for rural poverty alleviation.

Morocco MA: Poverty Gap at $6.85 a Day: 2017 PPP: % data was reported at 13.100 % in 2013. This records a decrease from the previous number of 22.000 % for 2006. Morocco MA: Poverty Gap at $6.85 a Day: 2017 PPP: % data is updated yearly, averaging 26.600 % from Dec 1984 (Median) to 2013, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 34.600 % in 1984 and a record low of 13.100 % in 2013. Morocco MA: Poverty Gap at $6.85 a Day: 2017 PPP: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Morocco – Table MA.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. Poverty gap at $6.85 a day (2017 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $6.85 a day (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.;World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.;;The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

Abstract

The World Bank is interested in gauging the views of clients and partners who are either involved in development in Morocco or who observe activities related to social and economic development. The World Bank Country Assessment Survey is meant to give the World Bank's team that works in Morocco, more in-depth insight into how the Bank's work is perceived. This is one tool the World Bank uses to assess the views of its critical stakeholders. With this understanding, the World Bank hopes to develop more effective strategies, outreach and programs that support development in Morocco.

The survey was designed to achieve the following objectives: - Assist the World Bank in gaining a better understanding of how stakeholders in Morocco perceive the Bank; - Obtain systematic feedback from stakeholders in Morocco regarding: · Their views regarding the general environment in Morocco; · Their overall attitudes toward the World Bank in Morocco; · Overall impressions of the World Bank's effectiveness and results, knowledge work and activities, and communication and information sharing in Morocco; · Perceptions of the World Bank's future role in Morocco. - Use data to help inform Morocco country team's strategy.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

Stakeholder

Universe

Stakeholders of the World Bank in Morocco

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

In June through August 2012, 310 stakeholders of the World Bank in Morocco were invited to provide their opinions on the Bank's assistance to the country by participating in a country survey. Participants in the survey were drawn from among the office of the Prime Minister; the office of a Minister; the office of a Parliamentarian; employees of a ministry, ministerial departments, or implementation agency; consultants/contractors working on World Bank-supported projects/programs; project management units (PMUs) overseeing implementation of a project; local government officials or staff; bilateral agencies; multilateral agencies; private sector organizations; private foundations; the financial sector/private banks; NGOs; community-based organizations (CBOs); the media; independent government institutions; trade unions; academia/research institutes/think tanks; and the judiciary branch.

Mode of data collection

Mail Questionnaire [mail]

Research instrument

The Questionnaire consists of 8 Sections:

A. General Issues facing Morocco: Respondents were asked to indicate whether Morocco was headed in the right or wrong direction, the three most important development priorities, and which areas would contribute most to reducing poverty and generate economic growth.

B. Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank: Respondents were asked to rate their familiarity with the World Bank, the Bank's overall effectiveness in Morocco, Bank staff preparedness, the extent to which the Bank should seek to influence the global development agenda, agreement with various statements regarding the Bank's work, and the extent to which the Bank is an effective development partner. Respondents were also asked to indicate the sectoral areas on which it would be most productive for the Bank to focus its resources, the Bank's greatest values and greatest weaknesses in its work, the most and least effective instruments in helping to reduce poverty in Morocco, with which groups the Bank should work more in Morocco, and how they attribute slow or failed reform efforts.

C. World Bank Effectiveness and Results: Respondents were asked to rate the extent to which the Bank's work helps achieve sustainable development results in Morocco, the extent to which the Bank meets Morocco's need for knowledge services and financial instruments, and the Bank's level of effectiveness across thirty-one development areas, such as economic growth. Respondents were also asked to indicate the greatest obstacles to more effective governance and greater job creation in Morocco and the areas related to governance and job creation on which the Bank should spend greater attention.

D. The World Bank's Knowledge: Respondents were asked to indicate how frequently they consult Bank knowledge/research, the areas on which the Bank should focus its research efforts, and to rate the effectiveness and quality of the Bank's knowledge/research, including how significant a contribution it makes to development results and its technical quality.

E. Working with the World Bank: Respondents were asked to rate their level of agreement with a series of statements regarding working with the Bank, such as the World Bank's "Safeguard Policy" requirements being reasonable and the Bank disbursing funds promptly.

F. The Future Role of the World Bank in Morocco: Respondents were asked to rate how significant a role the Bank should play in Morocco in the near future and to indicate what the Bank should do to make itself of greater value in Morocco.

G. Communication and Information Sharing: Respondents were asked to indicate whether the government is doing enough to increase civil society participation in Morocco, the greatest obstacles to greater civil society participation, where they get information about economic and social development issues, how they prefer to receive information from the Bank, their access to the Internet, and their usage and evaluation of the Bank's website and PICs. Respondents were asked about their awareness of the Bank's Access to Information policy, past information requests from the Bank, and their level of agreement that they use more data from the World Bank as a result of the Bank's Open Data policy. Respondents were also asked to indicate their level of agreement that they know how to find information from the Bank and that the Bank is responsive to information requests.

H. Background Information: Respondents were asked to indicate their current position, specialization, whether they professionally collaborate with the World Bank, their exposure to the Bank in Morocco, and their geographic location.

Response rate

A total of 96 stakeholders participated in the country survey (31%).

Historical MPM (Monitoring Poverty and Equity) data for Morocco, including poverty and equity indicators and global practice data from the World Bank.