According to the 2023 Index of Economic Freedom by the Heritage Foundation, Morocco has emerged as a leader in economic freedom in North Africa. Although the country ranks 97th globally and falls below international standards, it still stands out in the region, ranking seventh in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) area.
The report evaluates economic freedom based on 12 factors grouped into four categories: Rule of Law, Government Size, Regulatory Efficiency, and Open Markets. Economic reforms have encouraged private-sector dynamism and have contributed to Morocco’s gradual but notable progress.
However, the report also notes some challenges that Morocco needs to address, including the labor market’s lack of flexibility and the fact that most of the workforce remains marginalized in the informal sector.
There are more than 30 countries in the world classified as “Mostly Unfree,” including Morocco (107th worldwide) and Tunisia (132nd).
Despite these challenges, Morocco’s economic freedom score is around the world average, suggesting that the country has potential for growth and development.