Abstract

This study analyzes the dynamics of women's human development in Morocco from 2014 to 2022, focusing on labor market and education indicators. The findings reveal mixed trends, highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges in improving women's socio-economic conditions. During the study period, the female labor force participation rate significantly decreased, especially in rural areas, while the male participation rate slightly increased, highlighting a persistent gender gap. Additionally, the female employment rate dropped markedly, with a notable decline in rural areas, whereas the male employment rate also decreased. These trends suggest enduring structural and institutional barriers to women's labor market participation, despite slight gains for men.

Conversely, education shows positive signs. The female literacy rate significantly increased both nationally and locally, indicating improved access to basic education. However, the number of women holding vocational training diplomas remains low, underscoring a critical need for diversification and enhancement of educational opportunities in this sector. The proportion of women without any educational level significantly decreased, reflecting successful efforts to reduce illiteracy. Furthermore, female enrollment rates significantly increased across all educational cycles, outpacing the gains made by men. Despite this progress, the share of women with secondary education decreased between 2014 and 2022, suggesting specific barriers to transitioning to higher education. These findings call for targeted public policies to promote economic and educational inclusion of women, particularly in rural areas, and increased attention to mechanisms facilitating transitions to vocational training and higher education.