Disability in Morocco: One in Twelve People Affected in 2026

This update focuses on Morocco disability prevalence. Morocco now records a disability prevalence rate of 8.7% in 2026, meaning roughly one in twelve people is affected, according to preliminary results of the third national survey.

Morocco disability prevalence: a rise driven by better measurement

Presenting the figures in Rabat, the Secretary of State in charge of Social Integration, Abdeljebbar Rachidi, said that Morocco disability prevalence rose from 6.8% in 2014 to 8.7% in 2026. Within this total, 2.3% of the population lives with a severe form of disability.

Women account for 53.6% of people with disabilities, compared to 46.4% for men. About 29% of Moroccan households include at least one person with a disability, highlighting how deeply this issue shapes family life.

The increase in the rate is largely due to better identification of disability in the survey. Authorities have used new classification tools that include:

• children aged 2 to 17 years;
• UNICEF standards for children;
• an expanded Washington Group list for adults aged 18 and above.

Population ageing in Morocco also contributes to this rise, with more people facing age-related dependency.

A direct impact on nearly one in three households

The results show that disability is far from a marginal topic: almost one out of three households lives with it on a daily basis. Some 60.5% of people with disabilities live in urban areas, compared to 39.5% in rural regions.

This geographic split underlines the need for tailored responses depending on each territory. Authorities stress the importance of moving away from a one-size-fits-all policy towards more targeted strategies at regional and local level.

In terms of expenditure, 65.6% of people with disabilities report that the cost of medicines and pharmaceutical products is still borne by the family. In other words, disability continues to put heavy pressure on household budgets despite existing support schemes.

What this means for families and return plans

For Moroccans living abroad, these figures offer a concrete snapshot of the situation facing a parent losing autonomy or a child with a disability in Morocco. The high Morocco disability prevalence underlines the scale of needs in healthcare, inclusive education and social support.

People with disabilities and their families mainly call for effective access to basic rights and services, especially:

• available and affordable healthcare;
• inclusive schooling and adapted facilities;
• access to jobs and training opportunities.

For those considering a permanent or partial return with a family member concerned, these aspects must be included in the planning: choice of city, proximity to health services, schools, rehabilitation centres or specialised associations.

The third survey expanded its sample to 20,412 households in 2026, compared with around 16,000 in 2014. A total of 47 field teams and 236 interviewers were mobilised in partnership with national institutions. This stronger statistical base is expected to feed more precise and better targeted public policies.

While upcoming budget decisions and reforms are still to come, the current data send a clear message: disability is becoming a central issue for public services, both for residents in Morocco and for those abroad who keep open the option of returning to the country.

For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.

For official updates, readers can check the relevant official source.