People over 60 to represent 20% of Moroccan population in 2040

The rate of people over the age of 60, which remained around 7% during the forty past years, will be of around 20% of the Moroccan population in 2040, said the high planning commissioner, Ahmed Lahlimi.

In an interview published by the weekly "La Vie Eco," Lahlimi said the Moroccan population is growing older. He added that the proportion of under-15 years would be of only 23.6% in 2020, against 44.4% in 1960, noting that Morocco's population would be of around 37 millions in 2020 and 43 millions in 2040.

The Moroccan official highlighted problems related to retirement financing that will arise from the increase of the over-60 category and effects on social security as a whole.

Lahlimi underlined the need for ensuring the sustainability of retirement systems in force, to conceive a more global system of social security, including the compulsory health insurance (AMO).

The High planning commissioner specified that active population (between 15 and 59), which is "in clear evolution," should make around 65% of the total population between 2010 and 2020, against approximately 48,4% in 1960.

This, he said, raises employment problems "in a country where unemployment rate is estimated at 19% in cities. In order to face this situation, he noted, GDP growth must absolutely reach a rate likely to ensure constant improvement of living standards.