MOROCCO’S government promised today to make major improvements to healthcare, education and youth participation in politics.

This comes after a wave of youth-driven protests sparked by public anger over inequality and corruption, and marked the first concrete reforms since the demonstrations erupted last month.

The north African nation’s government proposed a set of measures aimed at encouraging young people to engage in politics and committed to broad social reforms, according to the MAP news agency.

A draft finance Bill for the coming year provides funds to strengthen social services — including public education and healthcare — two key sectors that demonstrators have urged the government to reform.

Another draft Bill looks to boost civic participation by inviting “people younger than 35 to enter politics,” according to MAP.

The Bill eases eligibility rules for young candidates and offers financial incentives covering up to 75 per cent of campaign expenses.

A separate proposal provides an enhanced role for political parties, improves transparency, and helps more women and young people join or establish them, MAP said.

The protests took the country’s leaders by surprise late last month, following the deaths of eight pregnant women at a hospital in the southern city of Agadir.

The protesters railed against money being spent on new football stadium for the 2030 World Cup while there was a lack of investment in health and education.

The online-based movement, Gen Z 212, later broadened its demands to include ending corruption and for a change of government.

The government said it would prioritise social spending next year — with nearly $13 million (£9.7 million) allocated to health and education — and create more than 27,000 jobs in those sectors, MAP reported.

Official figures show that lack of education is a key driver of poverty in Morocco, which has nevertheless fallen from nearly 12 per cent of the population in 2014 to 6.8 per cent in 2024.