Ibn Khaldun - Policy Brief

Transformations in Youth Political Participation in Morocco

By Ikram Adnani – Political Science Researcher, Morocco

Over the past decade, Morocco has witnessed profound transformations in the way young people engage with politics and public life. While the 2011 Constitution opened the door for greater youth participation through legal and institutional reforms, a deep and persistent gap remains between Morocco’s youth and traditional political structures.

According to official data analyzed in this policy brief, young Moroccans are increasingly turning away from political parties and elections, choosing instead to make their voices heard through civic activism, digital campaigns, and grassroots initiatives. This shift from formal political participation to alternative civic engagement reflects not apathy, but a search for new, more responsive forms of expression.

The paper traces the evolution of youth engagement from the 1950s to the present, contextualizing the current landscape shaped by movements such as February 20, the Rif Movement, and the recent Generation Z 212 mobilizations. It explores how digital platforms—from Facebook to TikTok—have become vital spaces for activism and how social and economic challenges, including high youth unemployment and education gaps, exacerbate political disconnection.

Despite a strong constitutional and strategic framework for youth participation, many government initiatives remain under-implemented. Institutions such as the Advisory Council for Youth and Associative Action are yet to fulfill their potential, while national youth strategies have often stalled at the planning stage. As a result, trust between young citizens and political institutions continues to erode, posing serious questions for Morocco’s long-term democratic development.

The policy brief argues that youth political disengagement is not a rejection of democracy, but a call for more inclusive governance. It proposes practical recommendations, including activating dormant institutions, reforming political parties to empower young leadership, integrating civic education into schools, and linking political participation with economic empowerment.

Ultimately, the study highlights that the vitality of Morocco’s democracy depends on bridging this generational divide and positioning youth as active partners in the country’s development model—not as distant observers.

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