Morocco is seeing a broader picture of disability emerge from its latest national survey, with 8.7% of the population identified as living with a disability in 2026. Of this total, 2.3% are affected by severe disabilities, according to preliminary findings presented in Rabat by Secretary of State for Social Inclusion Abdeljebbar Rachidi.
The new figures represent an increase of 1.9 percentage points compared with the 2014 national survey, which recorded a disability prevalence rate of 6.8%. Officials say the rise should not be interpreted solely as a deterioration in living conditions. The latest survey uses broader and more updated measurement criteria, including children aged 2 to 17 and internationally recognized classification standards. Population ageing is also identified as a factor behind the evolution.
The impact extends well beyond individuals. Around 29% of Moroccan households include at least one person living with a disability, highlighting the financial and social consequences for families responsible for care and daily support.
Healthcare costs remain a major concern. Some 65.6% of people with disabilities reported that expenses for medicines and pharmaceutical products continue to be paid by their families, pointing to persistent pressure on household budgets.
Women account for 53.6% of the population concerned, compared with 46.4% for men. Geographically, 60.5% live in urban areas and 39.5% in rural areas, a distribution that reinforces the need for policies adapted to differences between territories rather than relying exclusively on a single nationwide approach.
The 2026 survey itself was expanded considerably. Its sample increased from around 16,000 households in 2014 to 20,412 households, with a revised statistical framework designed to produce more representative results. A total of 47 teams and 236 investigators were mobilized for the fieldwork.
Beyond measuring prevalence, the survey is intended to identify the obstacles affecting the social and economic integration of people with disabilities. Its scope covers access to healthcare, education, employment and social protection, with the aim of providing indicators for future public policies.
The preliminary findings also point to a clear priority expressed by people with disabilities and their families: effective access to basic rights and essential services, particularly healthcare, education and employment.
The survey was conducted by the Secretary of State for Social Inclusion in partnership with Morocco’s High Commission for Planning, the National Observatory for Human Development and the United Nations Population Fund.
