The National Family Survey 2025 by the High Commission for Planning HCP in Morocco indicates a significant demographic shift: an increasing number of elderly individuals. This trend is occurring as traditional family solidarity, historically crucial for elder care, is undergoing changes due to social and economic transformations.
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Morocco's Atlas Lions are expected to play Norway in a friendly match on June 7 at the Sports Illustrated Stadium, formerly Red Bull Arena, in New Jersey. This information is supported by international ticketing platforms such as Event Tickets Center and SeatPick, which are already selling tickets for "International Friendly: Norway vs. Morocco." RateYourSeats also confirms the event and details available sections, and the Sports Illustrated Stadium has officially included the match in its summer schedule. These indicators suggest that logistical, security, and organizational agreements are finalized between the parties and local New Jersey authorities. The match is considered a crucial test for the technical staff, particularly for Mohamed Ouahbi, who is leading a rejuvenated team with evolving tactics. Following mixed results against Ecuador and Paraguay in March, the match against Norway, an opponent with a specific profile similar to Scotland, a future group stage rival, will serve as an important laboratory. Norway is described as a rigorous, disciplined, and physically formidable team, led by Erling Haaland. The Moroccan coach's challenge is to solidify the central defense and refine the team's rapid transitions. This encounter will help finalize the 23-player squad and assess the mental resilience of the team under constant pressure. The choice of Norway as an opponent is strategic, aiming to provide an intense challenge before the opening match against Brazil in Group
Ismael Saibari, a "Lion of the Atlas," has garnered attention from major European clubs, including Bayern Munich, following an impressive season with PSV Eindhoven and the national team. Saibari has contributed 18 goals and 9 assists across all competitions, playing a key role in PSV's dominance in the Eredivisie. According to the Dutch newspaper "De Telegraaf," Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich is closely monitoring the player, potentially looking to strengthen its offensive lineup during the summer transfer window. Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and several Premier League clubs are also reportedly interested in the Moroccan attacking midfielder. PSV coach Peter Bosz indicated that he would not easily let go of such a talent, even for 60 million euros, suggesting that interested clubs, particularly from the Premier League, would need to make a significant financial offer. Saibari is under contract with PSV until 2029, placing his club in a strong negotiating position. His market value, estimated at 32 million euros by "TransferMarkt," could increase due to competition among European giants vying for the African champion.
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
Must ReadReturned Moroccan migrants often face significant social and familial challenges, as highlighted by Hicham Houdaïfa of the Moroccan Network of Migration Journalists RMJM and other experts at a training workshop in Rabat on April 6, 2026. This issue, often overlooked by statistics and public policies, involves a subtle but relentless form of societal pressure. The concept of "Hadhia," or constant social surveillance by extended family, neighbors, and old friends, plays a crucial role. Migrants who return without financial success or status are subjected to collective judgment, often seen as failures. Jamal Boutbagha of CEFA Maroc, working with returned migrants through the ICARuS project, noted that many migrants plead with him not to reveal to their families that they were deported, instead asking him to say they are on leave. This desire for concealment stems from the significant family investment made to finance their departure, which can make their return feel like a betrayal. Houdaïfa questioned the perception of Moroccan society as unified, citing his four years of fieldwork in Hay Sbata, Casablanca, which revealed a reality where migrant returns are met with rejection rather than solidarity. The physical setting of "diour al-waratha" heir houses, where multiple families share cramped rooms, exacerbates the problem. Returned migrants are often seen as additional burdens, with their inheritance rights sometimes denied. Lacking income for housing and facing administrative