Morocco has unveiled a 760 billion dirham ($83 billion) draft budget for 2026 a 5.5% increase from last year with major investments aimed at addressing public discontent over health and education services. The finance ministry submitted the proposal to parliament on Monday, projecting economic growth to ease slightly to 4.6% in 2026, down from 4.8% this year, amid persistent inflation pressures and drought recovery costs. The government plans to allocate 140 billion dirhams ($15 billion) to health and education, marking a 16% increase over 2025 spending. According to the royal cabinet, the funding will help create 27,000 new public sector jobs, primarily in hospitals and schools.
“The focus will be on improving health infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to services,” King Mohammed VI’s office said in a statement following Sunday’s cabinet meeting. The budget also emphasizes reducing regional disparities, with targeted programs for mountain communities, oases, and coastal sustainability projects part of a broader strategy to boost rural development and resilience. The new fiscal plan comes amid weeks of nationwide demonstrations, led mostly by Gen Z activists, who accuse the government of prioritizing preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup over fixing deteriorating public services. Finance Minister Nadia Fettah Alaoui defended the spending blueprint, saying it “balances fiscal responsibility with social justice,” and would “lay the groundwork for inclusive, sustainable growth.”
