Morocco in Motion: Young Adults Demand a Voice

Known for its historic cities and vibrant culture, Morocco has long attracted visitors from around the world. But behind the postcard beauty lies a generation of disaffected young Moroccans, disgruntled by high unemployment rates, economic instability, and failing public institutions. In recent months, thousands have taken to the streets, chanting, “freedom, dignity, and social justice.” Most of this mobilization has been organized through the mobile app Discord, under a group named Gen Z 212–a reference to Morocco’s dialing number. Such demonstrations are not random outbursts but the culmination of years of frustration among Morocco’s youth; in 2011, for instance, large-scale protests erupted, calling for the reformation of the political system. The youth-led protests in Morocco reflect the convergence of poor governmental policy, such as inefficient spending allocations, and increasing political unrest, exemplified by violent demonstrations.

High levels of youth unemployment remain one of the foremost issues to which protesters have called attention. As of 2024, young people constitute  34.4 percent of Morocco’s population. Yet a report from the Moroccan League for Human Rights (LMDDH) reveals that unemployment for individuals aged 15-24 varied from 35.8 percent to 36.7 percent between February and August– a figure much higher than the nation’s overall unemployment rate of 12.8 percent. As of July, four in ten young people find themselves unable to find work in certain regions. Even those who are able to find jobs contend with serious economic challenges; reports reveal that two thirds of employed Moroccan youths work in the notoriously difficult informal sector, consisting of activities within the economy that are not formally taxed or regulated, such as street vending. This crisis exemplifies the state’s failure to provide economic stability or upward mobility for a high number of Moroccan citizens, revealing a political system incapable of creating meaningful opportunity for its largest demographic. 

But why does the specter of unemployment and the plague of bad working conditions loom over Morocco? One root cause lies in failing education systems. High dropout rates in rural areas, classroom overcrowding, and insufficient funding all contribute to a school system that leaves students unprepared to enter the workforce. The LMDDH reports that Moroccan universities “fall short of equipping students with the skills and competencies employers seek.” Lacking mental health resources for Moroccan youth worsen the unemployment crisis. A decline in mental health can be viewed as both a cause and a result of unemployment. A case study of unemployment in the Netherlands found that joblessness leads to mental health issues, and in turn, poor mental health makes it more difficult to find work. As such, increasing youth suicide rates remain an issue of concern. While the Moroccan Ministry of Health lacks specific numbers, The LMDDH warned in August of 2025 that suicide rates were on the rise. Between 2000 and 2012, the nation’s suicide rates increased by 97 percent. Illegal activity further contributes to the issue of social instability, as a high number of minors smoke, gamble, and do hard drugs, habits that increase the likelihood of mental health issues and unemployment. 

Inadequate government spending constitutes another major issue protested by Morocco’s youth, particularly those in the health care sector. Morocco boasts a mere 7.7 medical professionals per 10,000 people. This number stands at an even lower level in parts of east and south Morocco, where protests have occurred with the greatest vehemence. The recent deaths of eight pregnant women in an Agadiri hospital added oil to the fiery passion of the protesters. Inadequate healthcare funding paired with the government’s five billion dollar investment in a stadium for the 2030 World Cup has engendered national outrage. Protesters ask their government in loud demonstrations, “stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?” Profligate spending decisions have prompted accusations of corruption from protestors, comparisons with the government to the mafia. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and Health Minister Amine Tahraoui have faced the brunt of these criticisms. This frustration reflects a deeper sense of betrayal, as young Moroccans view the government’s lavish spending on projects of prestige amidst collapsing public institutions as proof of a political system that prioritizes image and profit over basic welfare. 

At the beginning of October of 2025, Gen Z 212 released a manifesto at the request of officials. Addressed to King Mohammed VI, this statement demands that corrupt parties in government  be dismissed, detained protesters be released, and that a government forum be held to hold officials accountable. More recently, activists have demanded job creation and additional funding for education and health care. King Mohammed responded to the demands in a rare televised speech in October of 2025, asserting that his government considered “creating jobs for young people, and the concrete improvement of the education and health sectors” a priority. Despite this, Moroccan officials have continued to crack down on protests, arresting and violently detaining participants, three of whom they killed. 

The youth-led protests in Morocco reflect a much broader global phenomenon of “Gen-Z Protests,” united by shared grievances over corruption, inequality, and overall governmental failures. Though these movements arise from different local contexts, recent demonstrations in Nepal, Indonesia, the Philippines, Kenya, Peru, and Madagascar have all erupted due largely to the strivings of Generation Z. Protestors seem to share the conviction that their governments possess the resources to fix systematic issues, but simply refuse to do so due to corruption and/or mismanagement. Madagascar, for instance, has vast natural resources, yet possesses high poverty rates. Citizens have attributed such issues to poor resource management and political incompetence. In Nepal, accusations of corruption inflamed protestors, and Kenyan demonstrators have called attention to heavy taxes on young people as a result of government greed and economic mismanagement. 

Like occurrences in Morocco, these global protests primarily owe their origin to planning conducted on social media. Nepal, for example, used Instagram, X, and TikTok to criticize politicians, presenting them as corrupt and emphasizing the stark difference between the richest officials and the poorest members of the proletariat. Some suggested using Discord to decide the next leader of the nation after the Nepali government fell, reflecting the evolution of social media from a method of expression to a tool of mobilization where young people can express frustration with real-world issues. One Nepali protestor emphasized the growing importance of social media, saying, “whatever movement happens, whether against corruption or injustice, it spreads through digital media. The same happened in Nepal. The changes that took place after the Gen Z protests in Nepal spread globally through digital platforms, influencing other countries as well.” One example of growing global connectedness through digital activism lies in the use of a single international flag: one with a black background that features a straw-hat wearing skull and crossbones image. Crowds in Morocco waved this banner during protests, and Nepali activists hung it on the gates of the Singha Durbar. Throughout 2025, the flag, which originates from a Japanese effort to overthrow a corrupt government, has also appeared on the streets of Indonesia, the Philippines, Madagascar, and Peru amidst similar protests. The flag symbolizes a shared rebellion against corruption and injustice, allowing young protesters from vastly different nations to unite under a common emblem of solidarity in the digital age.