The Demographic Gift in the Arab World: a Blessing or a Time Bomb for Morocco ?

Abstract

This study investigates population growth in Morocco and its relationship with what is termed the demographic gift. It aims to understand the effects of this exceptional phenomenon on some economic and social indicators including the spatial mobility of the population. Adopting the approach used by the UN, the study concludes that Morocco – in theory – entered the phase of the demographic gift in 2003. The paper discusses the co-occurrence of the opening of the demographic window in Morocco and the growth of youth and labor emigration, accompanied by unplanned urbanization, increasing unemployment rates for educated youth, and a weakened societal value system. This new reality has been a main motivation for the repeated popular protests seen in Morocco over recent years.