Impact of women's employment rate on informal care for dependent elders: prospects for Moroccan society

Abstract

The article analyzes the impact of the female employment rate on informal senior care, drawing on the French example to derive lessons for Morocco. It proposes development perspectives for Morocco's Silver Economy, taking into account the country's cultural and socio-economic specificities. The article examines the relationship between female employment and informal care, demonstrating that an increase in female employment may reduce reliance on informal care, potentially leading to increased demand for professional senior care services. The Moroccan government aims to increase the female employment rate from 20% to 30% by 2030. This raises questions about families' ability to care for their seniors and the development of professional care services. Morocco faces unique challenges, including a distinct family structure and significant income inequalities. The article suggests that the home care market in Morocco could be developed in a way that avoids the pitfalls of the French model, by offering solutions tailored to the needs and financial capacities of Moroccan families. The study relies on two French databases (VQS and SHARE) to analyze the impact of female employment on informal care. It employs statistical methods to understand the relationship between female employment and the use of informal care, and how this phenomenon manifests in France. The article then proposes applying these findings to the Moroccan context, adapting solutions to local economic and social realities. The article highlights the need for a more in-depth study to fully understand the implications of these changes and to develop strategies tailored to the specific needs of Moroccan society.