DR ‹ › On Tuesday in Rabat, High Commissioner for Planning Chakib Benmoussa outlined Morocco's key demographic trends during a conference hosted by the Rotary Club Rabat Excellence, in partnership with Rotary clubs from Rabat and Salé. He highlighted a steady rise in the urban population, which grew from 16.5 million in 2004 to 23.1 million in 2024, and is projected to reach 28 million by 2040. In contrast, the rural population is expected to decline, after stabilizing at around 13.7 million in 2024, down to 12.5 million by 2040. The number of households is also set to increase significantly, from 9.3 million in 2024 to nearly 12.3 million by 2040, an increase of 32.5%, while average household size is expected to shrink from 3.9 to 3.3 people. Benmoussa pointed to strong regional disparities, with five regions, Casablanca-Settat (20.3%), Rabat-Salé-Kénitra (13.5%), Marrakech-Safi (13.4%), Fès-Meknès (12.5%), and Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma (10.5%), remaining the most populous since 2014. Together, they accounted for 86.2% of population growth between 2014 and 2024. He also warned of rapid population aging. The share of people aged 60 and over rose from 9.4% in 2014 to 13.8% in 2024, and is projected to reach 19.5% by 2040 and 22.9% by 2050. Young people aged 15 to 29 number around 8.1 million in 2024, representing 22.25% of the population and nearly 37% of the working-age group. However, their share has declined from 26.3% in 2014, with 73% concentrated in five regions. In terms of activity, 42.6% of young people are still in education, 24.2% are employed, and 11.1% are unemployed. Regarding the elderly, Benmoussa noted that 90% of men aged 60 and over are married, compared to 52% of women, of whom 38% are widowed. Most older people live in family settings: 42% in multigenerational households, 43% as couples, and 9% alone.
