Social Inequalities and Regional Economic Growth in Morocco: Spatial Modeling on Panel Data, 2016-2021

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze regional social inequalities and their influence on economic growth in Morocco, using an analytical framework based on spatial econometrics applied to panel data covering the period 2016–2021. The study focuses on the impact of social inequalities, measured through a composite index, on regional GDP per capita, while incorporating spatial dependence effects between regions. Three main models (SAR, SEM, and SDM) are estimated to capture both direct and neighborhood effects. The results show that inequalities exert a significant and non-negligible impact on regional economic growth, and that accounting for spatial interdependencies strengthens the robustness of the estimates. These findings highlight the need to design differentiated public policies that consider territorial specificities and interregional interactions in order to reduce disparities and promote inclusive growth.