Regional Disparities In Human Development: The Case Of Moroccan Regions

Abstract

This study aims to examine regional disparities in human development across the 10 regions of Morocco. Specifically, the objectives are to: a) create a typology of the regions based on their human development levels, b) develop a synthetic regional indicator, and c) measure the extent of regional disparities. The analysis utilizes statistical data from the 2017 household panel survey conducted by the National Human Development Observatory in Morocco. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is employed using SPSS Statistics V23 to categorize regions and develop a regional composite indicator. The Gini index is adopted to measure the degree of regional inequalities. The findings reveal the existence of three strata of regions with distinct levels of human development: low, medium, and high. The calculation of a significant Gini index highlights substantial inequalities, primarily driven by the uneven distribution of living standards and access to basic social amenities. The study underscores the urgent need to address these disparities. The conclusion emphasizes that human development in Morocco is marked by alarming inequalities. Key policy implications include the need for an integrated regional policy, improved evaluation of public actions, equitable public expenditure, enhanced regional infrastructure, promotion of rights and freedoms, and better education and health services. The study contributes to the ongoing discussions on Morocco's new development model by prioritizing human development and addressing regional disparities.