Morocco’s 2025 Budget: A Technocratic Vision Lacking Heart?
As Moroccan students prepare to head back to school, their parents face the familiar struggle of affording the ever-increasing costs of education. Meanwhile, the government is already looking ahead, laying the groundwork for the 2025 budget with the release of its preliminary framework. While this document outlines a plan for economic stability and growth, some critics, like author Abd As-Salam As-Sidiqi, argue that it lacks a crucial element: a human touch.
As-Sidiqi contends that the framework, while technically sound, reads like a cold, calculated document devoid of empathy for the everyday struggles of ordinary Moroccans. He points to the fact that the framework, while mentioning the need for social safety nets, fails to offer concrete solutions for pressing issues like the rising cost of living and the widening gap between the rich and the poor.
This critique raises a crucial question: can a budget focused solely on numbers truly address the complex realities of a nation?
Globally, there’s a growing recognition that economic indicators alone don’t paint a complete picture of a nation’s well-being. The UN’s Human Development Index, for example, takes into account factors like life expectancy and education levels alongside economic indicators to provide a more holistic assessment.
As-Sidiqi’s critique resonates with this global shift towards a more humanistic approach to economic policy. He argues that the 2025 budget should prioritize investments in education, healthcare, and social programs that directly improve the lives of citizens. He envisions a budget that not only stabilizes the economy but also empowers individuals and creates a more equitable society.
The coming weeks will reveal whether the Moroccan government takes these critiques to heart as it finalizes the 2025 budget. The hope is for a budget that balances economic prudence with a genuine commitment to the well-being of all Moroccans.
