World News
Moroccan parliamentary elections test youth engagement after deadly unrest
Voters head to the polls following youth protests and economic frustration, though young citizens represent a small share of the electorate.
The short version
- Morocco is holding parliamentary elections for all 395 seats in its House of Representatives following nationwide youth protests sparked in 2025.[ABC News · Al Jazeera]
- Young candidates and activists are pushing demands regarding healthcare, education, and job prospects, while others remain disillusioned or seek migration.[ABC News · Al Jazeera]
- Voter rolls show citizens aged 18 to 24 make up only about four percent of the 15.8 million registered voters, with observers anticipating low turnout.[ABC News · Al Jazeera]
Key facts
- More than 15.8 million people are registered to vote on September 23 to decide all 395 seats in Morocco's House of Representatives.[ABC News · Al Jazeera]
- Nationwide demonstrations began on September 27, 2025, after eight women died following Caesarean deliveries at a hospital in Agadir, sparking protests over public services.[Al Jazeera]
- At least three people were killed during civil unrest in October 2025.[Al Jazeera]
- Voters aged 18 to 24 make up about four percent of registered voters, while those aged 60 and older represent more than 29 percent.[Al Jazeera]
- Registered voter numbers fell by 9.7 percent compared to the 2021 elections despite overall population growth, and opinion polls are prohibited in the country.[ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- Official measures of youth joblessness vary, with one agency recording a 37.2 percent unemployment rate among ages 15 to 24 in 2025, while another government figure cited 37 percent for ages 15 to 29.[ABC News · Al Jazeera]
- Voter participation levels are unknown because pre-election polling is legally barred, leading observers to rely on registration declines to anticipate low turnout.[ABC News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.