Page 15 - Contributed Paper Session (CPS) - Volume 1

CPS651 El Mostafa T.
However, despite their advanced age the RGPH 2014 revealed that 11.9%
went to primary school, 9% are high school graduates and 2.4% studied in the
university. The illiteracy rate increases with age from 3.7% among those aged
less than 15 years to 61.1% among those aged 50 and more. It’s relatively
lower in all the age groups in 2014 than in 2004. It goes without saying that
illiteracy is widespread among older Moroccans. Despite the efforts made by
the competent bodies to eradicate illiteracy among adults, women remain the
most vulnerable illiterate.

3. The activity of the elders: a closed circuit
Longer life opens possibilities not only for the elderly and their families but
also for society as a whole. In Morocco, as in most developing countries, older
people often continue to work. These extra years are an opportunity to engage
in new activities such as additional training, a new career or a long-neglected
passion. Older people also bring varied contributions to family and
community. Nevertheless, the extent of these opportunities and contributions
is largely dependent on the health factor. It should be noted in this context
that the last census confirmed that 18.8% of people over 60 are employed with
highly differentiated situations (by sex 34.8% for men and 3.4% among the
women). This proportion is slightly higher in rural than in urban areas, it is
24.0% against 15.1% respectively.

Table 1- Persons aged 60 and over (%) by Activity Type, gender, Area of residence and age
active Sick or other
Unemployed Housewife annuitant Retirement old Undeclared Total
Busy infirm inactive
Male 34,8 1,6 0,0 0,6 29,7 8,1 24,5 0,6 0,1 100
Female 3,4 0,4 39,1 0,2 4,0 7,9 44,2 0,6 0,2 100
Total 18,8 1,0 20,0 0,4 16,6 8,0 34,5 0,6 0,2 100
Source: HCP RGPH 2014
We have to point out that the greater number of active seniors had an
activity to meet their needs and those of their families. This majority (82.0%)
worked for themselves, 71.1% as independents and 10.9% as employers,
knowing that the participation rate of older people decreases progressively as
people get older and older.

To better understand the conditions of life and activity of the elderly in
both areas of residence, it would be important to consider the nature of the
activity, the level of income received in return for those activities; time spent
the exercise of the activity, the reasons for the exercise and the meaning given
to it by individuals.

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