Morocco's economic growth in 2024, marked by a 4.4% increase in GDP to MAD 1,614.57 billion ($161.46 billion), has revealed a stark disparity in wealth distribution across its 12 regions. The data from the High Commission for Planning (HCP) highlights a persistent and widening gap in household spending and income, with just five regions capturing 74.4% of the country's household consumption expenditure.
The concentration of wealth is most evident in the Casablanca-Settat region, which alone contributed 32.3% of the national GDP, a figure that is nearly a third of the country's total. This region's dominance is further emphasized by its per capita GDP of MAD 67,859 ($6,786), significantly higher than the national average of MAD 43,891 ($4,389). The disparity is even more pronounced when considering household spending, as Casablanca-Settat absorbs 25.3% of the total national household consumption expenditure.
In contrast, regions like Marrakech-Safi, Fes-Meknes, and Souss-Massa, which collectively account for 33.8% of the national GDP, have much lower per capita GDP figures, ranging from MAD 28,692 ($2,869) to MAD 31,173 ($3,117). This indicates a significant disparity in the standard of living across different regions, with the southern and eastern regions lagging behind in terms of both economic output and household spending.
The HCP's data also reveals a widening gap in regional inequality, as measured by the mean absolute deviation between regional GDP figures and the regional average. This gap increased from MAD 83.6 billion ($8.36 billion) in 2023 to MAD 90.9 billion ($9.09 billion) in 2024, confirming a slight increase in regional inequality. The disparity is further exacerbated by the fact that the top five regions, including Casablanca-Settat, account for a staggering 74.4% of household consumption spending, while the remaining seven regions share only 25.6%.
This economic disparity is not just a numbers game; it has profound implications for the country's social fabric. The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, has repeatedly emphasized the need for a more equitable distribution of wealth and development across all regions. In his Throne Day speech in July 2025, he declared, 'There is no place today or tomorrow for a Morocco moving at two speeds.' This statement underscores the urgency of addressing the structural imbalance in the country's territorial economy, which has intensified even as overall growth has accelerated.
The sectoral analysis further highlights the regional specializations, with primary activities like agriculture and fishing being more prominent in regions like Fes-Meknes and Draa-Tafilalet, while Casablanca-Settat dominates in secondary activities, particularly manufacturing and financial services. The tertiary sector, which represents 52.9% of GDP, is also concentrated in a few regions, with Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, and Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima contributing significantly to services output.
In conclusion, Morocco's economic growth in 2024 has exposed a deep-rooted inequality in wealth distribution and household spending across its regions. The concentration of wealth in a few regions, particularly Casablanca-Settat, has led to a widening gap in per capita GDP and household spending. This disparity not only affects the economic health of the country but also poses a significant challenge to social cohesion and the King's vision of a more equitable Morocco. Addressing this issue will require a comprehensive approach that focuses on local specificities and tangible improvements in citizens' daily lives across all regions.
