Rabat – In Morocco, nearly one-third of the population remains without health insurance coverage, highlighting a critical gap in the nation’s healthcare system. According to the High Planning Commission (Haut-Commissariat au Plan, HCP), the medical coverage rate in 2024 reached only 69.8%, leaving 30.02% of the population without any form of health insurance. These figures were published in the 2026 edition of the HCP's "Social Indicators of Morocco" report, and the Moroccan newspaper Assabah brought this issue to light in its edition dated August 11.
The HCP report reveals significant regional disparities in healthcare provision across the country. The highest medical coverage rate was recorded in the Fès-Meknès region at 75.5%, whereas the Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma region reported the lowest rate at just 62.2%. This disparity is not only evident in insurance coverage but also in the financing of healthcare, which places a substantial financial burden on households. The data indicates that 59.7% of total health expenditures are borne directly by households, meaning that for 11.3% of the population, healthcare costs consume more than 10% of their total household budget. This situation poses a significant challenge for many, as medical expenses can take up a substantial portion of available household resources.
The Ministry of Health reports that Morocco has approximately 32,000 doctors, translating to a ratio of 8.7 doctors per 10,000 inhabitants. In the nursing and paramedical sectors, this ratio is slightly higher at 10.9 per 10,000 inhabitants. Furthermore, the country has a total of 177 operational hospitals, 3,065 healthcare facilities, and around 28,000 hospital beds available nationwide.
Social disparities are also reflected in poverty indicators. According to the HCP data, the absolute poverty rate stands at 3.9%, which corresponds to about 1.42 million individuals living below the absolute poverty line. An additional estimated 4.75 million people are considered vulnerable to falling into poverty. The differences between urban and rural areas are stark, with the absolute poverty rate in rural regions at 6.9% compared to only 2.2% in urban centers. Similarly, the prevalence of precarious living conditions and vulnerability is significantly higher in rural areas, with a rate of 19.2% versus 9.5% in cities.
The latest HCP data thus underscores the persistent disparities in health insurance coverage, healthcare financing, and social living conditions throughout Morocco, particularly accentuated between urban and rural populations.
As reported by maghreb-post.de.
