Morocco’s Limited Annual Leave Drives Poor 2025 Work-Life Balance Ranking

A new global index ranks Morocco 51st out of 60 countries, citing insufficient vacation days and rising concerns over employee well-being and work-related stress.

RABAT — A new global report places Morocco near the bottom of the 2025 Work-Life Balance Index, sparking renewed concerns about the toll of professional pressures on everyday life. The index, released by remote work platform Remote, ranks Morocco 51st out of 60 countries surveyed, assigning it a score of 41.59 out of 100.

For millions of Moroccan workers, the findings confirm a reality long felt but rarely measured: achieving a healthy balance between work and personal life remains an uphill battle.

“Moroccan labor laws provide for 25 days of statutory annual leave, but in practice, workers often take fewer due to organizational pressures or lack of flexibility,” said labor economist Dr. Amina El Fassi. “Compared to countries in Europe or Latin America, this puts Morocco at a disadvantage in terms of quality of life and productivity.”

The index evaluates countries across multiple dimensions, including average working hours, statutory leave, parental policies, healthcare accessibility, and remote work support. Morocco’s lower ranking is largely attributed to its below-average number of vacation days and limited infrastructure to support flexible or remote work models.

Countries like Spain, Brazil, and France topped the list, offering generous leave policies and strong cultural norms around personal time, while Morocco trails behind, grouped with countries facing significant socio-economic challenges.

“I rarely take all my vacation days,” said Salma, a 34-year-old software engineer based in Casablanca. “Between deadlines and limited staff, it’s hard to fully disconnect. Even when I do take time off, I’m often checking emails.”

The cultural expectation to remain constantly available—combined with economic pressures and limited employee protection—has amplified work-related stress in Moroccan cities. Mental health experts warn this could contribute to long-term consequences.

“There is a direct link between time off and mental health,” noted Dr. Youssef El Mansouri, a clinical psychologist in Rabat. “Without adequate rest and personal time, burnout becomes inevitable, affecting not only individuals but the economy at large.”

Despite the sobering statistics, experts say the report could serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and employers alike. Advocates are calling for stronger labor protections, awareness campaigns, and investment in flexible work arrangements.

“A more balanced work culture would benefit not only employees but businesses too,” said Hanane Bennis, HR director at a multinational firm in Tangier. “Happy, well-rested workers are more productive and loyal.”

The findings arrive at a time when Morocco is making strategic investments to modernize its labor market and align with global trends in remote work and well-being. Whether the report will spur concrete policy reforms remains to be seen.

As the global workforce increasingly values well-being and personal fulfillment, Morocco’s ranking on the 2025 index reflects both the challenges ahead and the opportunity for change.