Morocco’s Youth Divided: Hope at Home vs. Dreams Abroad Amid Economic Challenges

According to a recent study conducted by the Afrobarometer network, 73% of young Moroccans believe that Morocco is "going in the right direction" and 54% expect an improvement in the economic situation over the next year. For this category of "optimistic" young people, it is still possible to succeed in life in Morocco. On the other hand, 28% of respondents are considering emigrating, a percentage that has increased compared to 2017. "More than one in four young people say they have "a lot" thought about emigrating, compared to only 20% in 2017," the study notes.

Unemployment is the main reason that pushes young Moroccans to leave their country. More than half, or 54%, of the young people surveyed who have even "a little" thought about emigrating, said they are motivated by "the search for better employment opportunities". 12% said they want to immigrate to improve their business prospects or pursue their studies (12%), flee poverty (10%), or simply travel (4%).

34% of respondents mentioned the mismatch between training and the job market, and 18% cited the lack of experience as the major obstacles to employment in Morocco. 21% of the young people surveyed said they are looking for a job. The study specifies that 20% of young people have welcomed the government’s efforts to create jobs.

The rise in the cost of living, drought, and education are also reasons that motivate young people to go into exile. Only 14% of respondents praised the government’s efforts to maintain price stability, revealing the dissatisfaction of young people with the implementation of development projects impacting their daily lives. The study indicates that 15% of young Moroccans have said they "think a little" about emigrating, while 21% think about it a little and 34% do not think about it at all.