REGIONAL AND HOUSEHOLD-LEVEL INEQUALITIES IN SOCIAL SERVICES ACCESS IN MOROCCO: A SPATIAL ECONOMETRIC APPROACH

Abstract

This study examines disparities in access to social services at the regional and household levels in Morocco, with a particular focus on health and education. It uses data from the 2021 Household Living Conditions Survey (HLCS) and applies spatial econometric techniques to analyze spatial dependence and regional heterogeneity in service accessibility. The results highlight significant inequalities between urban and rural areas, as well as between different income and education levels. The spatial autocorrelation analysis reveals distinct clusters of disadvantaged areas, particularly in the isolated regions of the south. These results highlight the need for localized political interventions, targeted social investments, and strengthened decentralized planning systems to mitigate territorial inequalities and ensure equitable access to essential social services.