Publishing in Morocco: A Vibrant but Still Strained Sector
With over 3,700 titles recorded in 2023/2024, Morocco’s publishing output continues to grow. However, beyond this quantitative momentum, the latest report by the Abdul Aziz Al-Saoud Foundation highlights a sector that remains fragile, unevenly structured, and heavily reliant on institutional dynamics.
Forgotten regions, underrepresentation of women, and dependence on public support are all key themes. Released on the occasion of the Rabat International Book and Publishing Fair, the report focuses on publications in literature and the humanities and social sciences, offering a comprehensive and insightful snapshot of the 2023/2024 publishing year.
A total of 3,725 titles were documented, the vast majority in print format (91%), representing a notable increase (+6.9% compared to the previous year).
Yet behind this apparent vitality lie persistent structural weaknesses. The first indicator: nearly 20% of these publications were self-published a high proportion that points to limited editorial support, especially outside major urban centers. The Rabat–Casablanca axis alone accounts for nearly half of national output, followed by the Tangier–Tétouan–Al Hoceima region. Other areas, such as the Oriental and Beni Mellal–Khénifra, remain severely underrepresented. This polarized landscape mirrors the broader cultural geography of the country. Another defining trend is the growing dominance of Arabic in intellectual output. While not new, this trend is intensifying, with 80% of publications written in Arabic. French has seen a slight decline (15.9%), while English and Amazigh remain marginal.
The Foundation notes that “the Arabization process is both stable and evolving.” This trend reflects shifts in higher education and the widespread use of Arabic in the humanities, yet it leaves little room for genuine linguistic plurality.
In terms of content, literature continues to hold a dominant position, accounting for nearly a quarter of all titles, but it also reflects a deeper transformation. The novel has now overtaken poetry as Moroccan authors’ preferred genre. The report refers to a “transition from an era dominated by poetry to a narrative age.” This shift toward storytelling viewed as better suited to capturing social tensions is illustrated by 537 narrative works (novels and short stories), compared to 230 poetry collections. However, this creative vitality has yet to extend into the digital space, where output remains limited (9%) and highly institutional. Literary authors are almost entirely absent. Instead, the digital publishing space is dominated by think tanks and public institutions such as the Policy Center for the New South, the High Commission for Planning, and the Economic, Social and Environmental Council. Topics mainly focus on the economy, public policy, and social issues. Literary creation, philosophy, and history are virtually absent.
Lastly, while the average price of a Moroccan book remains stable (83.39 dirhams), roughly one-third the cost of a book in France, the report does not provide consolidated financial data. It does note, however, that 70% of subsidized books received public funding, primarily from the Ministry of Culture.
A. Bo
