In recent weeks, Morocco has found itself in the throes of an unexpected and sweeping wave of youth-led protests, rattling a country long considered among North Africa’s most stable. The movement—driven largely by the collective known as Gen Z 212—has brought tens of thousands of young Moroccans into the streets and digital forums, demanding urgent reforms to tackle corruption, inequality, and the lack of opportunities for the nation’s burgeoning youth population.
According to state news agency MAP and reporting from France 24 and the Associated Press, the Moroccan government responded on October 19, 2025, with a series of pledges aimed squarely at the protesters’ core concerns. These include major investments in healthcare and education, and a raft of proposals to boost youth participation in politics. The government’s promises mark the first significant policy shifts since the protests erupted late last month following the tragic deaths of eight pregnant women at a hospital in Agadir—a city emblematic of Morocco’s deep regional disparities.
The scale and organization of the Gen Z 212 movement have surprised many observers, with demonstrations breaking out in more than a dozen cities. The group, named after Morocco’s international dialing code, is a leaderless collective that organizes primarily online, using platforms like Discord to debate strategies and coordinate actions. With a core membership of around 180,000, Gen Z 212 has managed to translate digital discontent into a real-world force that authorities can no longer ignore.
Protesters have been especially vocal in their criticism of government spending priorities. As Los Angeles Times and AP reports highlight, billions of dollars are being poured into preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, including the construction of seven new stadiums and the renovation of seven others. Morocco plans to spend more than $5 billion on infrastructure for the event, much of it sourced from private investment. Meanwhile, the country’s public health system continues to lag, with only 7.7 medical professionals per 10,000 inhabitants and significant gaps in care, especially in the south and east—regions where protests have been most intense.
The contrast is stark. While Morocco boasts Africa’s only high-speed rail line and a booming tourism sector, many of its 37 million citizens struggle with soaring living costs, stagnating wages, and underfunded public services. The monthly minimum wage hovers around $300, and youth unemployment has soared to 36 percent. According to a June survey by Afrobarometer, more than half of Moroccans under 35 have considered emigrating in search of better prospects.
The Gen Z 212 movement’s demands have evolved rapidly. What began as outrage over the Agadir hospital deaths soon broadened to include calls for the ouster of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, whom protesters accuse of corruption and self-enrichment. Akhannouch, one of Morocco’s wealthiest businessmen, controls a vast share of the country’s gas stations and has seen his companies win lucrative government contracts, including for new desalination projects. The royal family’s investment fund, Al Mada, is also expected to profit substantially from World Cup-related developments, fueling further resentment among demonstrators.
Chants of “Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?” have echoed through city squares, encapsulating the movement’s frustration with what many see as misplaced priorities. Slogans like “Freedom, dignity and social justice” recall earlier protest waves, but this time, the demands have become more concrete. Gen Z 212 recently published a letter to King Mohammed VI, urging him to dismiss the government and corrupt political parties, release detained protesters, and convene a forum to hold officials accountable.
While King Mohammed VI remains the country’s highest authority and has previously acknowledged the need for more inclusive development, protesters have focused their ire on the government. During a recent address to Parliament, the king defended Morocco’s dual-track approach to development, insisting, “Social justice is not a temporary priority. There should be no contradiction or competition between major national projects and social programs, as both share the same goal: developing the country and improving the living conditions of citizens wherever they may be.” However, he stopped short of addressing the Gen Z 212 movement directly.
Government officials have responded with a mix of repression and accommodation. Security forces arrested scores of demonstrators in late September and early October, with some protests turning violent. In one incident outside Agadir, police fired on protesters they claimed were storming a post, resulting in three deaths. In Oujda, a police van rammed into protesters, injuring one. Courts have since handed down sentences ranging from four to 20 years for vandalism and incitement, according to Human Rights Watch. Yet, in other cities, law enforcement has stood aside as unrest unfolded, suggesting a tactical recalibration by authorities.
Despite these crackdowns, the government has also extended an olive branch. The 2026 draft finance bill proposes nearly $13 million in new spending for health and education and the creation of more than 27,000 jobs in those sectors. New measures aim to encourage political participation among people under 35 by easing eligibility rules and offering financial incentives that could cover up to 75 percent of campaign expenses. Additional proposals seek to enhance the role of political parties, improve transparency, and help more women and young people join or establish parties.
Yet for many demonstrators, these reforms fall short of the sweeping changes they seek. “The government is taking patchwork measures to ease the pressure. Their reforms will take years,” said Youssef, a 27-year-old protester, in remarks reported by AP. The movement’s skepticism is rooted in a history of unfulfilled promises and the perception that the government’s response is more about quelling dissent than enacting real change.
As the Africa Cup of Nations looms in December, Gen Z 212 has called for a boycott of matches at Morocco’s new stadiums, refusing to let the spectacle overshadow their demands for social justice and government accountability. The movement’s persistence, and its ability to mobilize both online and offline, suggest that Morocco’s youth are no longer content to wait on the sidelines.
While official statistics indicate that poverty has fallen from nearly 12 percent in 2014 to 6.8 percent in 2024, deep regional and social inequalities remain. The coming months will test whether the government’s pledges can translate into meaningful change—or if Morocco’s Gen Z will keep pushing, determined to shape the country’s future on their own terms.
