Youth-led unrest exposes cracks in Morocco's economic model

6/10/2025 19:08

Youth-led unrest that spread across Morocco last week revealed deep-seated anger over poverty and public services behind a storyline of ambitious infrastructure projects and modern stadiums opening ahead of the 2030 World Cup.



The protests in major cities – inspired by similar revolts in Nepal, Madagascar and Peru – devolved into riots in rural towns and remote cities. Three people were shot dead as they tried to storm a security headquarters, and over 400 were arrested, before the violence eased.



The unrest was the most widespread since the 2011 Arab Spring protests, which prompted King Mohammed VI to devolve some powers to parliament. It was also the most violent since the 2016 protests in the Rif region.



The protests expose a challenge for authorities as they try to maintain order and the pace of economic development while burnishing Morocco's international image ahead of the World Cup, to be co-hosted with Spain and Portugal.



Morocco has set itself apart from other non-oil Arab economies by pouring billions into roads, rail, ports, renewable energy and manufacturing.



Poverty has been cut almost in half, according to the country's statistics agency, and living standards in parts of the northwest coast rival Europe.