Morocco

37.4

Population 2022 (Millions)

0.68

HDI Score
2021 (Max. 1)

70.9

SDG Score
2023
(Max. 100)

0.43

Gender Inequality
Index Score
(Max. 1)

51

Internet Inclusivity
Index 2022
(100 countries)

Sources: 1. World Bank (2022), 2, UNDP (2021), 3. Sustainable Development Report (2023), 4. UNDP (2021), 5. Economist Impact (2022)

Overview

Situated in a mountainous region of North Africa, Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with a history dating back to Ancient Egypt. In more recent times, the country was a protectorate of France and Spain, until gaining independence in 1956. Since then, one of its most well-known conflicts is over control of Western Sahara (which continues to this day). While Morocco has experienced significant social and economic progress, challenges still remain in the form of high illiteracy rates (one quarter of the population) and wealth disparity, as well as threats from disenfranchised youth and religious extremism.

Projects

Exploiting the Possibilities Offered by Big Data to Monitor the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Morocco
  • Morocco
  • November 2022 - November 2023
  • P2 - AI and Statistics for the SDGs

This project, supported by UNDO Morocco and the Moroccan Ministry of Economy and Finance worked to improve official statistical measurements using Big Data in order to improve the timeliness and reliability of how progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals is measured. Aditionally, this project contributed to strengthening the Moroccan digital ecosystem  by improving the design, implementation, and monitoring of fair public policies, and informing better investment decisions towards achieving g the SDGs. Our organization conducted a benchmark study and developed three pilot publications to monitor priority indicators for sustainable development in Morocco: mental health (target 3.4) using Google Trends data; water stress (indicator 6.4.2) using earth observation; and ICT skills (indicator 4.4.1) using data collected through an online survey in Facebook.

 

Feasibility Study for the Establishment of a Category 2 Center Under the Auspices of UNESCO on Artificial Intelligence
  • Morocco
  • November 2022 - January 2023
  • P1 - Just Digital Transformations

DPA conducted a feasibility study that included a full assessment and a recommendation. The final report summarized the findings and conclusion on whether or not the proposed Center should be created as a category 2 centre under the auspices of UNESCO. DPA´s approach and methodology were based on three steps: 1) Identification of key documents and stakeholders; 2) Collection and analysis of relevant data and information.  This second step involved the collection and analysis of key data and information; 3) Development of deliverables and recommendations in a final report.

Mental Health and Gender Inequality in the MENA Region: An Analysis of Shock Related Factors Within the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Egypt, Jordan, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Morocco, Tunisia
  • May 2021 - May 2022
  • P3 - Resilient Livelihoods and Ecosystems

In partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Economic Research Forum (ERF), DPA produced a research paper investigating the potential associations between the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 on the gendered mental health inequalities in the MENA region. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach, based on a thorough literature review, and the analysis of quantitative data via the application of the Oaxaca-Blinder (OB) decomposition model. The results of this study were used to produce a policy paper with targeted recommendations to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on women’s mental health, as well as to improve their social and economic well-being.

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