Morocco in bid to cut jobless rate to 8.5 percent by 2021

RABAT, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The unemployment rate in Morocco increased to 10.7 percent in the first quarter of 2017, up from 10.4 percent a year ago, according to official data issued on Monday.

The number of the unemployed grew by 63,000 to stand at about 1.3 million in the first quarter, shows the data issued by High Commission for Planning.

The urban unemployment rate rose from 15 percent to 15.7 percent, while the rate remains low at 4.1 percent in rural areas, the data said.

In the first quarter, 109,000 jobs were created in Morocco, with 45,000 in service sector, 28,000 in agriculture, 20,000 in construction and 16,000 in the industry.

The new Moroccan government has vowed to reduce unemployment to 8.5 percent by 2021.