Socio-demographic context

Morocco has taken measurements to lower poverty rates and this has clear results, but the problem isn’t yet solved. Poverty rates dropped from 15,3 percent to 6,2 percent between 2001 and 2011, but this also contributed to an
inequality regarding different areas in the country and gender inequality (African Development Bank Group, 2015). For example, the income disparity coefficient raised from 39,5 to 40,9 between 1999 and 2007. Also, poverty remained mainly rural, whereas unemployment is an especially urban problem.
The Moroccan government should continue essential reforms and speed up implementation regarding justice, taxation, land law and education. Looking at the region Oriental, where our project will be, unemployment rates and the percentage of households below poverty line are striking. The unemployment rate for urban areas in Oriental was 19,3% in 2013. The unemployment rate for women 17,9% and those for men 15,9% (Open Data for Morocco, 2014). Considering this information on unemployment, an activity during the market research will be to explore opportunities on how tocontribute to regional employment by for example involving multiple local businesses. Another aspect we should consider is also how to not reinforce unemployment by taking away markets on for example selling bottled gas etc.