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Morocco Household Confidence Index Continues to Drop

A view of Casablanca, Morocco. (AFP)
A view of Casablanca, Morocco. (AFP)
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Morocco Household Confidence Index Continues to Drop

A view of Casablanca, Morocco. (AFP)
A view of Casablanca, Morocco. (AFP)

The Moroccan household confidence index fell to 74.9 points in the second quarter of this year, from 79.1 points in the previous quarter and 87.3 points recorded in the second quarter of last year.

Morocco's High Commission for Planning (HCP) carried out the Permanent Household Status Survey that revealed the household confidence index continued its downward trend which started over a year ago.

It added that the decrease in the index reflects the decline of all the indicators constituting it.

Regarding the households' views on the general development of the living conditions, the report highlighted that 46.2 percent noted a deterioration in their living standards during the preceding 12 months, while 32.9 percent of households said the standards of living had remained stable and 20.8 percent had seen improvement.

On household predictions for the development of living standards over the next 12 months, 27.3 percent expect it to continue to deteriorate, 40.6 percent consider it will be stable and 32 percent expect to see improvement.

Regarding unemployment, the study highlighted that households were more pessimistic during the second quarter of the current year compared with the same period last year.

Research showed that 83 percent of households expected a rise in unemployment during the next 12 months, compared to 6.1 percent that expect a decline.

The field research, carried out by the Commission every three months, also showed that 61.4 percent of households considered that during the second quarter of 2019 the conditions were not suitable for buying sustainable goods, while 20.1 percent said the opposite.

In terms of household finances, 62.4 percent of households reported that their income was sufficient to cover their expenses, while 34.2 percent reported that their expenses were depleted or they resorted to borrowing because of insufficient income.

Only 3.4 percent of the households managed to save part of their income, with 16.7 per cent of households said they could save within the next 12 months, compared to 83.3 percent of those who said otherwise.

Regarding the development of households financial status during the past 12 months, 32.7 percent said they had improved, compared to 8.5 percent that reported deterioration.

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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
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FAO Aims for Key Outcomes at COP16 in Saudi Arabia

Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)
Preparations in the Saudi capital ahead of hosting the COP16 conference on combating desertification (from the “COP16” page on the X platform)

Dr. Abdul Hakim Elwaer, Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), stated that the organization will take an active role at COP16, the UN conference on combating desertification, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in early December.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he expressed confidence that the conference—the first of its kind in the Middle East—would produce significant outcomes.

Elwaer’s comments came during a roundtable organized by FAO’s regional office in Cairo, attended by a select group of media representatives. The session focused on FAO’s participation in the upcoming conference and the importance of the Rio Trio —the integrated framework of the three major UN conventions addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, and desertification.

Fida Haddad, FAO’s Program Officer for Land Rehabilitation and Climate Change, highlighted the interconnectedness of the three conventions and noted that COP16 would place a strong emphasis on land and water rehabilitation and their sustainable management.

Haddad pointed out that approximately 90% of the Middle East is affected by arid conditions. Despite this, local communities and Arab governments have made notable progress in addressing desertification and drought. She also announced that, for the first time, FAO has successfully placed food systems on the COP16 agenda, enabling discussions on how land rehabilitation can enhance food supply chains and systems.

Elwaer underscored FAO’s central role in achieving the second Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): eradicating hunger. He emphasized that FAO actively engages in the UN conventions on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification, which collectively contribute to this mission.

FAO’s focus, according to Elwaer, is on transforming food and agricultural systems to become more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable, aiming for better production, nutrition, and livelihoods. He highlighted the organization’s success in integrating these priorities into the agendas of the three conventions and collaborating with host countries on joint initiatives.

He further noted that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of COP16 is particularly significant for the region, which faces pressing challenges such as water scarcity, desertification, and food insecurity. The conference presents an opportunity for Middle Eastern nations to highlight these issues, explore solutions, and ensure their inclusion in global environmental discussions, not only at this event but in future COP sessions, he underlined.

Elwaer emphasized the growing global attention on desertification, as it is now impacting regions previously unaffected, such as southern Europe and parts of Latin America. These areas are witnessing alarming declines in arable land and forests, prompting them to seek lessons from the Arab world, which has developed resilience strategies to combat desertification over centuries.

FAO will have a strong presence at COP16, with two dedicated pavilions—one in the Blue Zone for official delegations and another in the Green Zone to engage civil society and conference participants, he said.

He added that in collaboration with Saudi Arabia and the UN, FAO will lead coordination on Food Day and Governance Day, scheduled for December 5 and 6, respectively. The organization will also participate in other specialized sessions throughout the conference.