Morocco Faces Growing Disability Challenges

The third national survey on disability in Morocco revealed an increase in the prevalence rate to 8.7% of the population, compared to 6.8% in 2014, with the number of people with disabilities rising from approximately 2.26 million to 3.15 million. The rise is partly attributed to an expanded survey methodology and changes in classifications. Disability is unevenly distributed, reaching 9.2% among women and 8.2% among men, with a significant increase with age—up to 26.3% among those over 60 years old. The highest prevalence rates are found in regions such as Béni Mellal-Khénifra (14.2%), while the lowest are in Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab (2.4%). The results also show that only about 29.7% of affected individuals have access to a disability diagnosis, and 62.9% of them are covered by health insurance. Barriers related to registration, administrative procedures, limited digital access, and lack of information are prominent. Families bear substantial financial burdens, with 65.6% reporting expenses for medications. The percentage of children with disabilities attending school has decreased to 65%, and many face rejection during registration due to their disability. Additionally, economic activity among adults with disabilities remains low at 21.6%, with unemployment reaching 78%. The study uncovers gaps in social, educational, and economic inclusion, providing regional data crucial for more accurate policy assessment and support program planning.

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