Morocco's aging population and evolving family structures strain traditional support systems

The 2025 National Family Survey by the High Commission for Planning HCP reveals a significant demographic shift in Morocco, with the senior population rapidly increasing. In 2024, individuals aged 60 and above constitute 13.8% of the population, up from 9.4% a decade prior. This demographic change is attributed to declining fertility rates and increased life expectancy, profoundly reshaping the age pyramid. Concurrently, family structures are evolving, with average household size decreasing from 4.6 people in 2014 to 3.9 in 2024, indicating a decline in intergenerational cohabitation. The extended family model, where multiple generations reside together, is becoming less common. The High Commissioner for Planning highlighted that these transformations are reconfiguring cohabitation patterns and intra- and inter-family dynamics. Despite these changes, the family remains the primary support system for seniors, providing economic assistance, daily care, and value transmission, as evidenced during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this traditional support is now challenged by reduced cohabitation, residential mobility, and economic constraints, making solidarity more complex to mobilize. Support is shifting from daily presence to more intermittent, financial, or remote assistance. This restructuring of solidarity leads to new vulnerabilities for seniors, particularly concerning economic resources and unmet needs. Dependence on family remains strong, especially for those with low in