Recessions in European countries that buy much of Morocco's manufactured exports hit labour-intensive industrial sectors which lost 39,700 jobs last year, the state High Planning Commission said.

But services and construction created 78,000 and 62,000 jobs respectively, helping absorb 0.4 percent growth in the north African country's active population.

The government has been developing new industries like car and aerospace parts and electronic components to cut reliance on agriculture and create more jobs in its crowded northern cities.

Infrastructure upgrades, tourism growth and a plan to improve low-income housing and eradicate slums have led to more jobs in the building industry.

Informal labour abounds in Morocco, making it harder to produce reliable employment figures.

The finance ministry has forecast the economy will grow this year by 3.5 percent, slowing from 5.3 percent in 2009.