Unemployment remains problematic in Maghreb
2005-10-17
The inability of job opportunities to keep up with a population that has quadrupled since 1950 remains a key problem in the Maghreb.
(IMF, US Energy Information Administration, CIA World Factbook)
 [File] A 2004-2005 estimate put unemployment in Algeria at 25.4 per cent |
The Maghreb region is filled with youth. In both Algeria and Morocco, the median age is 23; in Tunisia it is 26. Roughly 30 per cent of the population in Algeria is under the age of 15. In Morocco it is 32 per cent and in Tunisia it is 25 per cent.
Unemployment stands at 25.4 per cent in Algeria, according to a 2004/2005 estimate. The figures for Morocco and Tunisia are 11.6 per cent and 13.8 per cent respectively. The Algeria and Tunisia figures could be overblown because of difficulty in measuring the informal sector, as well as a 1990s employment programme in Algeria in which people were encouraged to join the work force but register as unemployed.
Labour market participation in the region depends most on level of education and the availability of job opportunities. Since the 1990s, participation rates have risen for women but dropped for men.
Unemployment hits first time job applicants, particularly those with a secondary education, the hardest. People under age 30 have an approximately 50 per cent unemployment rate in Algeria. In Morocco, 200,000 jobs are created annually while 300,000 young workers enter the workforce. Tunisia is challenged to finds jobs for a work force in which 50 per cent of participants are under 25.
the education system is not providing the right kinds of skills
In addition, higher unemployment among youth may reflect that they either await the right opportunity in the formal public sector or that the education system is not providing the right kinds of skills for private sector jobs.
The biggest proportion of Moroccans -- 43 per cent -- are employed in agriculture. The situation makes the national economy fluctuate wildly because of weather. Tourism, another important sector, has suffered in the wake of terrorist attacks and the Iraq war but may see recovery with an initiative to improve facilities and better promote the country by 2010. With the world's largest phosphate reserves, mining, fertiliser production and phosphoric acid production are large employers. Manufacturing also is an expanding industry.
Tunisia has seen unemployment decline slightly since the 1990s. The nation feels it can make its economy more attractive to investors and foster job growth though privatisation of its many state-run firms. At the beginning, the process will likely lead to more unemployment as payrolls are trimmed.
Algeria has by far the highest percentage of public sector employment in the Maghreb, accounting for 31.3 per cent of all employment and 39 per cent of non-agricultural employment. Addressing unemployment, which hovers around 50 per cent for people under age 30, is a major challenge for Algeria.
The country has large oil reserves. Foreign capital and expertise is being sought to further explore potential reserves, with Energy Minister Chekib Khelil hoping to increase the number of oil companies operating in the nation. Little progress has been made however in trying to make state-run Sonatrach more corporate. Other potential avenues are to increase co-operation with the European Free Trade Association and gain membership in the World Trade Organisation.
Other important industries in Algeria include petrochemicals, fertilizers and natural gas. The level of natural gas reserves rank among the top ten in the world. A natural gas pipeline is planned by Sonatrach and Cepsa of Spain to link Algeria with Europe. The nation is also the world's second-biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas.
One means of improving the employment situation in the Maghreb is to lessen the dependence on public sector jobs. Algeria and other Arab nations with the highest rates of government employment also have the lowest labour productivity. The strong public sector stifles entrepreneurship and innovation. Restrictive trade and other anti-competitive practices also hurt private business activity.
Recent educational advancements in the Maghreb should result in even more well-qualified job seekers. The challenge will be whether job creation can match that pace.
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ايمان Posted 2006-10-23
The research is zero.
يوسف Posted 2006-12-06
Magherb Arab Union was founded on February 17, 1989 in Marrakech, Morocco and is made up of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania by singing a joint convention. It aims at strengthening the brotherly relations between the member states and their peoples, achieve their welfare, progress and protect their rights as well as participating in the maintenance of peace based on justice and equity and the adoption of a common strategy in all fields as well as gradually implement free movement of persons, goods, services and capital among these countries.
نبيلة Posted 2006-12-17
Arab research still needs more realistic action, detail and analysis of the hardships endured by its young people in general and those of the Maghreb in particular, specifically from unemployment.
ali Posted 2007-01-11
In my opinion, unemployment is a hurdle to the country, and more precisely it is a group of handicapped powers produced by the state.
محمد Posted 2007-02-10
I am researching this subject...the problem of unemployment and the role of charity houses in solving it. I need assistance!
jaoad Posted 2007-02-10
a side comment! Please use "Grand Maghreb" instead of "Arab Maghreb" to avoid being racist!
مريم Posted 2007-02-14
Thanks for raising this subject for discussion but I am looking for more information. Thanks
فاروق حسين Posted 2007-02-27
The problem of unemployment in the grand Maghreb exists because of the idiot incapable ministers. May the Lord protect us from them!
المعذبـــــــــــــون في الأرض Posted 2007-03-06
First of all, this article includes many scattered ideas. From the growth of population to the educational system to the Algerian industry..., many topics in one page, away from the title of the article. Secondly, "Recent educational advancements should result in even more well-qualified job seekers."do you really believe that current educational system will succeed, I don't think that the current program will result in well qualified graduates???
boualem Posted 2007-03-18
I think we are "third world people", and we will remain so, because underdevelopment is a delay in development.
أحمد الجزائر Posted 2007-04-01
Thanks for the information
أبو مروان Posted 2007-04-21
Since when has mentioning the Arab been considered as racism? Arabism has become a cultural and geographical-civilizational affiliation rather than a racial one. That is what the Prophet (PBUH) made clear to a Companion while educating him "... so he who speaks Arabic is an Arab".
ديابة ايمان من عنابة Posted 2007-04-29
You've broached the problem of unemployment in the Arab Maghreb countries, but you haven't stated its causes and possible solutions.
الاديب+الحناوي= الدكاءوالفطنة Posted 2007-05-05
To anyone who thinks that Morocco is free of discrimination why is this one Amazigh and the other is Arab we wait for your comment
أيمن Posted 2007-05-16
In the name of God, and peace and prayer upon the most honourable messengers, in fact there shouldn't be a long debate about discrimination, I'm Amazigh and I speak Berber, and I see no racism if I am described to be an Arab, on the contrary- this is a honour for me to be designated with the language spoken by the best creatures of God, and in which the words of God were communicated, this is not racism, this byzantine discussion was opened only for a barren and useless debate. Thanks to the writer of the topic even if I criticise him for the lack of organization, a lot of change in conversation and little focus on main points, lack of figures and statistics. And peace upon those who followed the right path.
عبد الفقير. Posted 2007-06-04
Long live France.
algerienne Posted 2007-07-03
Hello, I thank you for this article!! As an Algerian I believe that half of our young people work, especially in new projects such as Algiers' tramway and subway!!! As for the racism about which you spoke, there is nothing more to say than it would be better if you shut your mouth. Thank you all. Good bye.
ABOU ASMA Posted 2007-07-03
After the greeting, unemployment is an obstacle to economic development, but this is due to the belief of continuing the implementation of programs implemented in the economy in the state.
khalem Posted 2007-07-05
Regarding unemployment in Algeria, it is being said that the state has not managed to create new jobs for the people despite the existence of material and human resources.
ahmed Posted 2007-10-21
Hi, I want to thank you for this article and I would like to say that unemployment really is a problem for young Moroccans.
zakaria Posted 2007-10-30
A comment on the problems of education in Morocco.
محمد Posted 2007-11-24
Why?
karima Posted 2007-11-30
Unemployment is necessary to the balance of life. It is impossible to live in a world without problems.
البطالة Posted 2007-12-06
I've been unemployed since I graduated in 1993. I can't see any improvement and unemployment is on the rise. There's no policy to stop this phenomenon which is the top problem of young people, especially university graduates.
ايوب من مصر Posted 2007-12-07
I'm a researcher on this topic, your intervention helped me in exposing the problem, thank you.
وفاء Posted 2007-12-25
In the name of God. Firstly I would like to express my joy at meeting my Moroccan brothers. I'm Algerian and I'm proud of it. I'm still studying at the secondary school and I'm concerned about experiencing unemployemnt when I graduate inchallah. Thank you.
أبو مصعب Posted 2007-12-27
Salam to those who followed the path of guidance. What I believe is that the unemployment phenomenon is the result of the non commitment of every individual in society according to his powers and nature. Here I mean: competencies and qualifications: I mean that most officials don’t understand that we’ve moved from a planned economy to a market economy. By nature I mean the two genders, given that the modern Muslim woman isn’t satisfied with the mission imposed by God, God ordered her to stay in her house and not leave it except for a necessity, this led her to competing with men in things which don’t fit her nature, and this is one of the major causes of unemployment in our societies. If women abode by the rules of the religion, we would have eradicated unemployment then spinsterhood and poverty; then everyone of us man and woman would live for the mission for which they were created. The most sublime mission for which woman was created is the good education of the young generations, and this is the latest thing to which the world has become aware, I mean human resources.
badr Posted 2008-01-09
We can only be optimistic about these state sponsored governmental initiatives. The problem I see is the people’s mentality.
nizar boudheroua tunisie Posted 2008-01-12
Thank you for this article on unemployment.
guivrain Posted 2008-01-22
You say that the rate of unemployment in Algeria is 12.3%. But reality shows the opposite. In my opinion, Algeria is an unemployed country itself.
sahbi Posted 2008-01-25
I do not think that the statistics and numbers given in this report are correct, most especially the level of unemployment in Algeria. In any case, thank you.
adil Posted 2008-02-10
Thank you for the statistics. I would just like to say to Mr. Abu Moushab with all the respect that I owe him that women are not the cause of unemployment. All the same, we need to face these problems with courage and find the real causes in order to take care of this scourge and establish a high quality of living for all of the “United” Grand Magreb. Sincerely
latifa Posted 2008-02-12
I think that the problem of unemployment can even be found in the USA, except that the statistics are different. My opinion is that we young graduates will always be the victims.
Fouzia Posted 2008-02-16
I am a researcher in this subject. In my point of view, this article is very rich: although the ideas are gone over very briefly, it explores a lot of very broad research perspectives. We are living in a time of enormous flexibility in the labour market, and this should drive us to be seriously interested in the relationship between training and employment when analyzing the rise in unemployment, which is essentially occurring with the young, educated population.
امال Posted 2008-02-17
In Algeria we have all the means. Why can't we start?
منال تونس Posted 2008-02-20
I consider that unemployment is an obstacle facing us. Those who don’t find a job should search in different sectors. They should create a working post by themselves through small projects.
elaarabi Posted 2008-02-27
Unemployment is a problematic phenomenon for young Moroccans, but every country necessarily has a certain level of unemployment.....
نسرين جزاءرية Posted 2008-03-02
12 days. Salam alaikoum my Moroccan brothers. I agree with the brother, Algeria is an out of action country.
هوشي منه Posted 2008-04-01
Long live Arabs from the Arabian peninsula to Morocco and that's it!!!
وسام Posted 2008-04-09
Thank you for the statistics and the article which was of a great help to me.
مجدولين Posted 2008-04-18
Is it possible to provide me information about employment in Algeria on the condition that the statistics should be recent. Thank you...
منيرة Posted 2008-05-05
In your articles, you should have added instead differences in salaries in addition to the unemployed so we could know the status of Algerian workers.
shahra Posted 2008-05-07
Research ain't bad!!! :p
خيال Posted 2008-06-29
In the name of God the most gracious the most merciful. Peace and prayer be upon the most honourable prophet. My brother and sister young people. We are all looking for work in our dear nation. Therefore we must.
لينا Posted 2008-09-18
I want to know the latest statistics about unemployment in Algeria.
sarra Posted 2008-10-16
Hello- I am in school and I am in the process of describing the difference between unemployment in Africa and Europe. If you have any information, I would appreciate it if you would bring me up to date. –Thank you
màriàm Posted 2008-12-28
I want to reply to Ayman. Firstly, Arabic is the language of the Qur’an only. Our real language is Tamazight. We speak dialect which is a mixture of (Tamazight, French…) and not the language of the Qur’an.
nsiri Posted 2009-03-02
No comment.
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