On October 18, 2025, the voices of Morocco’s Generation Z once again echoed through the streets of cities like Casablanca, Tangier, and Rabat. After an eight-day pause, hundreds of young demonstrators returned to protest what they describe as government corruption, inadequate healthcare, and a failing education system. Their movement, Gen Z 212, has been a fixture in Moroccan life since late September, organizing rallies through social media platforms such as Discord, where their channel boasts over 200,000 subscribers. The group’s demands have only grown louder, even as authorities attempt to move forward with preparations for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Saturday’s demonstrations were marked by chants that cut to the heart of the protesters’ frustrations. In front of the Moroccan parliament, young people raised banners and shouted, “Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?” and “Boycott the stadiums.” Their message was clear: they see the government’s investment in sports infrastructure as a distraction from more urgent needs. According to the Associated Press, protesters urged a boycott of the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for December, as a form of protest against what they see as misplaced national priorities.
The movement’s roots stretch back to a tragic event in Agadir, a coastal city nearly 300 miles from the capital, Rabat. The deaths of eight pregnant women during Caesarean sections at a public hospital in Agadir ignited a wave of outrage that quickly spread nationwide. Young Moroccans, already frustrated by the cost of living and lack of opportunity, took to the streets demanding not only better healthcare but also sweeping reforms in education and governance. As reported by the Hindustan Times, the movement’s demands soon expanded to include the release of detained protesters and a call for an end to government corruption.
Despite the passionate turnout, the number of protesters has waned since the movement first caught the kingdom by surprise in late September. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights estimates that approximately 600 people, including minors, are currently detained pending trial for their alleged involvement in the protests. In a show of solidarity, demonstrators in Rabat chanted, “Detainees, stay strong, we’ll keep fighting,” as they called for the release of those arrested in recent weeks. Some protesters, wary of retaliation, declined to give their names to reporters.
The government’s response to the unrest has been a mixture of promises and crackdowns. King Mohammed VI addressed parliament on October 10, 2025, but notably did not mention the Gen Z 212 movement by name. Instead, he emphasized that “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.” Many protesters interpreted this as an indirect response to their criticism of the government’s spending priorities. One demonstrator told the Associated Press, “The king didn’t say anything about the movement, which disappointed a lot of people. But we remain mobilised.”
Government officials have pledged to reallocate funds to healthcare and education. Finance Minister Nadia Fettah Alaoui, speaking at a World Bank meeting in Washington, D.C., stated that shifting resources to these sectors would be a focus of the 2025 budget. But for many young Moroccans, such promises ring hollow. State audits have documented persistent teacher shortages, regional disparities, and transportation problems—especially in rural areas where government services have long been lacking. Since 2000, the number of students enrolled in private universities has increased more than sixfold, according to 2024 government data, fueling resentment over the growing divide between public and private education.
Protesters are quick to point out the disparities between public and private schools, criticizing politicians who send their children to private institutions while presiding over underfunded public ones. “I’m done with school and studying, but I’m here demanding reforms for the generations to come,” one protester said, recounting being thrown out of class for not being able to afford a needed textbook. Their frustration is compounded by the rising cost of living; demonstrators in Rabat carried signs reading, “A room and a kitchen, and water and electricity bills are too expensive,” and “Where did people’s money go?”
While the protests have largely been peaceful, some cities have seen violence and vandalism. Earlier in October, police reported that three people were killed in Laqliaa after rioters attempted to break into a Royal Gendarmerie post, prompting authorities to use live ammunition. According to local media, more than 400 people have been arrested for vandalism linked to the protests, with a court in Agadir sentencing 17 defendants to a combined 162 years in prison. One protester was sentenced to five years for “incitement to commit a crime,” while another student received a one-year sentence. The Gen Z 212 movement has consistently distanced itself from acts of violence, reaffirming its commitment to peaceful protest and calling on its supporters to do the same.
Despite these challenges, the movement continues to draw inspiration from similar youth-led protests abroad, such as those in Nepal. Organizers have issued statements emphasizing the movement’s principles of “awareness, unity, and dignity,” and have called for peaceful sit-ins rather than confrontation. Their message is one of generational justice and accountability, a demand for fundamental reforms in education and healthcare to ensure the dignity of all citizens.
As Morocco prepares to host major sporting events, the contrast between gleaming new stadiums and underfunded hospitals and schools has become a potent symbol for a generation unwilling to accept the status quo. The country’s youth are not just asking for change—they’re demanding it, and they’re not backing down. Whether their movement can sustain its momentum in the face of arrests and official silence remains to be seen, but for now, the call for justice and reform rings out from the heart of Morocco’s cities.
With every chant and every banner raised, Morocco’s Gen Z protesters are making it clear: they will not be sidelined, and their demands for a better future cannot be ignored.