Growing Prevalence of Disability in Morocco

The latest statistics reveal that the prevalence of disability in Morocco has risen to an alarming 8.7% as of 2026, with a significant proportion of these individuals, approximately 2.3%, experiencing severe forms of disability. This information was disclosed during a press conference held in Rabat by Abdeljebbar Rachidi, the Secretary of State responsible for Social Inclusion. Notably, women represent 53.6% of this demographic, while men account for 46.4%.

This increment in disability prevalence marks a 1.9% increase compared to the 2014 national survey, which recorded a rate of 6.8%. The rise is attributed to the introduction of updated classification tools and methodologies in the latest national survey, which for the first time included children aged 2 to 17, adhered to UNICEF standards, and utilized an expanded list from the Washington Group for adults aged 18 and above. Furthermore, the aging population contributes significantly to these statistics.

Impact on Households and the Need for Effective Policies

According to findings, around 29% of Moroccan households include at least one person with a disability, highlighting the widespread impact of this issue. Alarmingly, 65.6% of individuals with disabilities report that the financial burden for medical expenses and pharmaceuticals falls entirely on their families. Additionally, 60.5% of this population resides in urban areas, while 39.5% live in rural settings. This distribution underscores the urgent need for transitioning from a generalized policy approach to targeted strategies that address the unique circumstances of different regions.

Individuals with disabilities and their families have expressed strong expectations for guaranteed access to fundamental rights and services, particularly in the realms of health care, education, and employment. The recent survey expanded its sample size significantly from about 16,000 households in 2014 to 20,412 in 2026, engaging 47 teams and 236 investigators in collaboration with the High Commission for Planning (HCP), the National Observatory of Human Development (ONDH), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

As reported by yabiladi.com.