Morocco climbs in 2026 global children's rights index

Saturday 27 June 2026 - 11:45

By: Azzat Manal

Morocco climbs in 2026 global children's rights index

Morocco has made significant progress in the 2026 KidsRights Index, climbing to 33rd place worldwide with a score of 0.776, an improvement of 13 positions compared with last year's ranking. The annual index, compiled by the KidsRights Foundation in partnership with Erasmus University Rotterdam, evaluates the state of children's rights in 194 countries based on factors including access to healthcare, education, child protection, and the overall environment supporting children's well-being.

The improved ranking highlights Morocco's continued efforts to strengthen policies aimed at protecting children and expanding access to essential public services. Although the country has advanced in the global standings, experts emphasize that continued investment in education, healthcare, and social protection remains necessary to address persistent challenges affecting vulnerable children.

While Morocco recorded notable progress, the report paints a worrying picture at the global level. According to the index, children's rights are increasingly threatened by armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, and rising levels of violence. The report notes that conflict-related sexual violence against children has increased significantly in recent years, while millions of children continue to face displacement, interrupted education, and limited access to healthcare.

The report also highlights a growing public health concern: childhood obesity. For the first time, the global rate of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has surpassed the rate of underweight. Researchers attribute this trend to changing lifestyles, unhealthy diets, and unequal access to nutritious food, affecting both developed and developing countries. The Middle East, North Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean are among the regions experiencing the fastest growth in childhood obesity.

According to the study, approximately one in five children between the ages of five and nineteen is now overweight, with the total number of affected school-aged children more than doubling over the past two decades. The findings underline the need for governments to promote healthier environments by encouraging balanced nutrition, regulating the marketing of unhealthy food aimed at children, and expanding opportunities for physical activity.

The KidsRights Foundation also calls on governments and international organizations to strengthen the protection of children living in conflict zones by ensuring access to education, healthcare, adequate nutrition, and legal protection. The organization stresses that safeguarding children's rights requires coordinated international action, accountability for serious violations, and long-term investments in children's development.

Morocco's improved position in the 2026 index reflects encouraging progress, but the report concludes that protecting children's rights remains a global responsibility that demands sustained commitment from governments, civil society, and international institutions to ensure every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, healthy, and supportive environment.