Morocco Faces Escalating Brain Drain as Skilled Professionals and Students Opt for Careers Abroad

According to a study by the English magazine "Arab Weekly", the brain drain of Moroccans to other destinations places Morocco in second place in the Middle East and North Africa, in terms of massive exodus of skills. Indeed, several Moroccan experts as well as a large majority of students prefer to pursue their careers abroad.

Published by the daily "Akhbar Al Yaoum", the study describes the extent of the phenomenon through alarming figures. No less than 50,000 Moroccan students abroad and 20,000 experts and senior executives opt for an international career.

The magazine mentioned an excerpt from King Mohammed VI’s speech on August 20 last, where the sovereign addressed this issue. "When a number of young people, particularly among the highly qualified in scientific and technical fields, think of emigrating, they are not only motivated by the attractive incentives of life abroad. They also consider this eventuality because they lack in their own country a climate and favorable conditions for active life, professional advancement, innovation and scientific research."

Despite these figures, the government is trying to reassure. Called upon to explain the matter to the House of Representatives, the Minister of National Education Saaïd Amzazi stated that this brain drain phenomenon affects all countries. "It is a global trend related to the mobility of skills seeking to benefit from more advantages and more attractive salaries in host countries," he said.