Morocco Raises Health and Education Spending in 2026 Draft Budget
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The government plans a 16% increase in funding for health and education and the creation of 27,000 new public sector jobs amid nationwide protests over strained public services.
Rabat, Morocco’s government has announced a major increase in public spending for 2026, prioritizing health and education in response to mounting public discontent. The finance ministry on Monday submitted to parliament a draft budget totaling 760 billion dirhams ($83 billion), an increase of 5.5% compared with the previous year.
The draft plan, which allocates 140 billion dirhams ($15 billion) to health and education, represents a 16% jump in funding for the two sectors. The government expects economic growth to slow slightly to 4.6% in 2026, down from the projected 4.8% in 2025, reflecting cautious optimism amid global economic pressures.
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In a statement released after a cabinet meeting chaired by King Mohammed VI, the royal office emphasized that the new spending targets are meant to improve basic services and strengthen public infrastructure. “The focus will be on improving the health infrastructure offering,” the statement said, underscoring the government’s intention to modernize hospitals and medical facilities while expanding access to education in underserved regions.
The plan also includes the creation of 27,000 new public sector jobs, all within the education and healthcare systems. These positions are expected to ease chronic shortages of teachers, doctors, and nurses gaps that have fueled public frustration in recent years. The government described the initiative as part of a broader commitment to “reduce inequalities between regions,” with special attention to mountain areas, oases, and the sustainable development of the national coastline.
The proposed increases come amid a wave of youth-led demonstrations that have swept across the country since September. The protests, driven largely by Generation Z activists, have drawn thousands into the streets to demand better healthcare, improved schools, and greater accountability from officials. Many demonstrators have accused the government of misplaced priorities, arguing that public money has been channeled into preparing for the 2030 FIFA World Cup which Morocco is set to co-host rather than addressing the daily hardships faced by ordinary citizens.
Social media platforms have amplified these grievances, with hashtags criticizing the quality of hospitals, overcrowded classrooms, and the emigration of skilled professionals dominating online discourse. “We don’t need new stadiums,” read one popular protest slogan. “We need doctors and teachers.”
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For the government, the new budget is not only a fiscal plan but also a political gesture an attempt to rebuild trust and demonstrate responsiveness to public concerns. Officials have portrayed the increased social spending as part of a longer-term strategy to narrow the country’s development gaps and ensure that economic growth translates into tangible benefits for citizens.
Economists view the move as significant but caution that implementation will determine its real impact. Morocco has long struggled with disparities between its urban centers and rural hinterlands. In remote regions, access to healthcare and education remains limited, with hospitals understaffed and schools under-resourced. Analysts say the creation of new jobs could help address these issues but warn that structural reform particularly in management and resource distribution will be necessary to achieve lasting improvement.
The timing of the budget also reflects the government’s sensitivity to social pressures ahead of the World Cup preparations. Hosting the tournament, alongside Spain and Portugal, has been framed by authorities as a national opportunity for investment and international recognition. Yet the contrast between massive sports infrastructure spending and struggling public services has become a symbol of inequality for many Moroccans.
By emphasizing healthcare and education in the 2026 budget, the government appears to be signaling a shift in priorities or at least an acknowledgment of the public’s growing impatience. The proposed 16% increase in funding, coupled with job creation and regional development programs, may help ease tensions if implemented effectively.
Still, skepticism remains high among protesters and policy observers alike. Past promises of reform have often faltered amid bureaucratic delays and budget constraints. Whether this new spending plan can bridge the gap between Morocco’s ambitious economic goals and the social needs of its people will depend on how transparently and efficiently the government delivers on its commitments.
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