Morocco’s 2026 draft Finance Bill sets out one of the country’s most ambitious recruitment plans in years, creating more than 36,000 new jobs across the public sector—with the security-related departments, namely the Interior Ministry and National Defense, emerging as principal beneficiaries. The proposed expansion highlights the state’s focus on maintaining administrative and social balance while reinforcing its sovereign institutions amid ongoing economic reforms.
According to the budget proposal, a total of 36,395 new budgeted positions will be created next year, part of a broader effort to link job creation with human capital investment and social stability. The Interior Ministry tops the list with around 13,000 new positions, reflecting the continuing priority placed on security management, territorial administration, and crisis response capacity. It is followed by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection with 8,000 posts, and the Ministry of National Defense with 5,500.
Other major allocations include 2,600 posts for the Ministry of Economy and Finance, 2,020 for the prison administration, and 1,759 for higher education. The Supreme Judicial Council will also receive 640 new positions, while 600 additional slots have been earmarked for integrating doctoral-level teachers into Morocco’s universities.
In an unprecedented inclusion measure, the Finance Bill reserves 500 positions under the direct authority of the head of government, 200 of which are set aside for persons with disabilities. This component reflects a growing political emphasis on inclusion and equitable representation in public employment.
While Morocco’s 2026 budget introduces a notable round of new public sector hiring, the scale of 36,000 new positions will not be sufficient to materially reduce the country’s unemployment problem. Data from the International Monetary Fund and national statistics agencies show Morocco’s unemployment rate hovering around 13 percent in 2025, with only a gradual expected decline to 12.7 percent by 2026 . Youth joblessness remains particularly acute, affecting more than one in three Moroccans aged 15–24, while female unemployment exceeds 19 percent .
Public employment continues to serve as a stabilizing mechanism—with the security and social ministries set to absorb the majority of new hires—but structural job creation lies primarily in the private sector. It is worth noting that the new positions represent less than 3 percent of total unemployed workers, limiting short‑term impact on overall unemployment.
Instead, economists view the Finance Bill’s employment component as a complementary measure to sustain household incomes and maintain state capacity during a period of reform. Broader initiatives within the bill, such as investment incentives, regional development programs, and SME support, are considered more decisive for long‑term job generation .
In short, the 2026 recruitment round reinforces Morocco’s commitment to social stability and institutional strength but does not by itself address the deeper labor‑market gaps—especially those affecting youth, women, and rural communities—that continue to shape the country’s employment landscape .
Beyond personnel matters, the 2026 draft budget underscores a financial and policy shift toward health and education. Combined funding for these two sectors will exceed 140 billion dirhams, accompanied by more than 27,000 new positions dedicated to schools and hospitals nationwide. Officials say the move aims to strengthen core social services after years of reforms tied to Morocco’s New Development Model, which prioritizes quality health care, improved schooling, and decentralization.
The Finance Bill arrives at a delicate time for Morocco’s public finances. The government faces the economic aftershocks of global inflation, climate volatility, and rising social demands. But by allocating the largest recruitment quotas to the Interior and Defense Ministries, Rabat signals that security and territorial governance remain central to its stability strategy. This expansion of the security apparatus comes amid ongoing regional volatility and the need to preserve internal cohesion as Morocco continues its economic transition.
Ultimately, the 2026 Finance Bill blends traditional priorities—security and state service—with renewed social commitments designed to meet public expectations. The challenge for the government will be to ensure that these new positions translate not only into stronger institutions but into tangible improvements in citizens’ daily lives.
