Moroccan Households Struggle as Inflation Erodes Living Standards

The Moroccan economy is grappling with significant inflationary pressures, severely impacting the social welfare of the population. Official data shows that over 76% of households reported a decline in their standard of living over the past year. Financial instability has forced 39% of families to rely on loans or savings to meet essential expenses, with only 2.8% still able to set money aside. Pessimism regarding the future is widespread, as a majority of citizens expect further hardship and rising unemployment. The sharp increase in the cost of food and fuel is felt by nearly 96% of the population, leading to reduced purchasing power and scaled-back consumption. These domestic challenges are exacerbated by the country's vulnerability to international market fluctuations, the depreciation of the dirham, and recent slowdowns in critical industries such as tourism and phosphate production.