Morocco’s Gen Z Returns to the Streets: Protesting for Hope, Reform and Against Hardship

After a 10day pause, Morocco’s restless Gen-Z returned to the streets of Rabat on Saturday. Their chants once again echoing through the avenues leading to parliament. Under the banner of GenZ 212, a digital-born youth collection of hundreds of young people, rallied to demand government action on education, healthcare, against corruption and the cost of living.

The young protesters were asking more than a political norm. They calling for a social reckoning. Reda, a 23years university graduate from Casablanca said – “Even though we paused for more than 10 days, we are continuing. We want to see solutions that make our daily sacrifices worthwhile, not just speeches”.

The protest-gathering followed King Mohammed VI’s recent address to the parliament, where he pledged reforms in job creation and public services. But his remarks though conciliatory, did not mention the GenZ movement directly. And this is a silent omission that some saw as emblematic of Morocco’s widening generational gap.

Behind the slogans and placards rest a rising restlessness among the country’s young people. Morocco’s youth unemployment hovers around 32 percent, and education reforms have struggled to bridge disparities between urban and rural communities. Rising food and housing costs have further strained family life, leaving many young adults well into their late twenties, depending on parents. In lending their voices, Naji, another protester aired that – “Many of us feel trapped between our education and the reality of no opportunities. Politics still feels distant, but we are learning how to make it listen”.

One sociologist say the Gen Z protests signal a broader cultural shift. One that blends online activism with community solidarity. Thus, much like counterparts in Nepal and other parts of the world, Moroccan youths are turning digital frustration into civic engagement, connecting personal hardship with national reform.

At the moment, their movement remains peaceful but determined. Between hope and hardship, Morocco’s Gen Z is crafting a new language of protest that mixes social science, street wisdom and a shared longing for dignity in everyday life.