rural poverty in morocco
Rural poverty in the Kingdom of Morocco
Poverty is essentially a rural phenomenon in the Kingdom of Morocco. About 4 million people in the country live below the national poverty line, and 3 million of them are in rural areas. During the decade from 1994 to 2004 there was a significant increase in the incidence of poverty in some of the poorest provinces. And although there has been progress in the country’s standing in the human development index, the gap between urban and rural areas remains a large one.
Some 75 per cent of rural poor people depend on agriculture for a livelihood. Yet many of them have access to only a limited amount of non-irrigated arable land, which has a poor agricultural potential. Because farmers often do not have formal title to land, it is difficult for them to obtain credit to start activities that diversify their sources of income.
The incidence and distribution of poverty vary considerably among regions in relation to the quality and availability of natural resources. Mountainous zones, where soil is susceptible to erosion, are among the poorest areas.
Where are the country’s poor people?
The distribution of poverty in Morocco varies greatly from one region to the next. The coastal areas, for instance, are generally better off and less affected by poverty. In contrast, the country’s mountain areas, steppes and arid south are home to most of the poorest Moroccans, as are the many poor fishing communities scattered along the coast.
Who are they?
The most vulnerable groups include smallholders, people engaged in artisanal fishing, landless people, rural wage earners, unemployed young people and women in all categories.
Why are they poor?
Difficult geographical conditions and deteriorating infrastructure affect rural poverty. Among the causes of poverty are factors that hinder agricultural development, such as land tenure factors, frequent climatic fluctuations, poor soil and water resources and degradation of natural resources,
Poverty is essentially a rural phenomenon in the Kingdom of Morocco. About 4 million people in the country live below the national poverty line, and 3 million of them are in rural areas. During the decade from 1994 to 2004 there was a significant increase in the incidence of poverty in some of the poorest provinces. And although there has been progress in the country’s standing in the human development index, the gap between urban and rural areas remains a large one.
Some 75 per cent of rural poor people depend on agriculture for a livelihood. Yet many of them have access to only a limited amount of non-irrigated arable land, which has a poor agricultural potential. Because farmers often do not have formal title to land, it is difficult for them to obtain credit to start activities that diversify their sources of income.
The incidence and distribution of poverty vary considerably among regions in relation to the quality and availability of natural resources. Mountainous zones, where soil is susceptible to erosion, are among the poorest areas.
Where are the country’s poor people?
The distribution of poverty in Morocco varies greatly from one region to the next. The coastal areas, for instance, are generally better off and less affected by poverty. In contrast, the country’s mountain areas, steppes and arid south are home to most of the poorest Moroccans, as are the many poor fishing communities scattered along the coast.
Who are they?
The most vulnerable groups include smallholders, people engaged in artisanal fishing, landless people, rural wage earners, unemployed young people and women in all categories.
Why are they poor?
Difficult geographical conditions and deteriorating infrastructure affect rural poverty. Among the causes of poverty are factors that hinder agricultural development, such as land tenure factors, frequent climatic fluctuations, poor soil and water resources and degradation of natural resources,