Global Moroccan Diaspora: 5 Million Strong, with 85% in Europe

The old continent remains the main destination for Moroccans residing abroad (MREs), reports Barlamane.com. 85% of these Moroccans abroad have adopted it as a host country, compared to 15% in other regions of residence, such as North America, Africa and the Gulf countries. As for the Arab world, it hosts 6.4% of Moroccans living abroad, compared to 2.6% in America and a small proportion spread between sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

The first country that so interests Moroccans abroad is France. To date, 1.25 million Moroccan citizens have chosen this country to live there. It is followed by Spain with 880,000 Moroccans. In 2018, 220,000 Moroccans were naturalized compared to 11,000 in 1990. This number represents 29% of foreign births in this country.

Belgium, for its part, hosts 700,000 Moroccans on its territory for 460,000 naturalized. Better, Moroccan citizens are obtaining comfortable positions in Belgian society. There are 300 doctors and 350 engineers working in various fields.

According to the same media, these Moroccans from Belgium are also numerous in institutional representations, with 30 parliamentarians of Moroccan origin, as well as 9 federal parliamentarians including 3 in the Walloon region, 15 in Brussels and 3 in the Flemish region. They are also 100 elected officials in local councils, including 2 mayors of cities and 20 deputy mayors.