Morocco’s Youth Face Dilemma: Patriotism vs. Desire for Opportunity Abroad

"We love our country, and many of us think that in the long run, it will be on the right track," said Hassine, 27. This young Moroccan welcomes the democratic and economic advances the Kingdom has seen. However, he notes that these advances are far from meeting the expectations and needs of young people. Both poverty is ambient and unemployment is growing. According to him, the only viable solution remains immigration. Like Hassine, many young people share this same dream.

In 2018, government statistics indicate that more than 22,000 young Moroccans went to work abroad. This number would be much lower than that of Moroccans applying for illegal immigration. In total, 70% of Moroccans aged 18 to 29 have expressed a desire to emigrate, the highest of all countries on a list that includes Yemen, a country torn apart by war, reveals a 2019 Arab Barometer survey.

"It is true that absolute poverty is no longer a problem, but the right to decent health care, schools and decent housing is out of reach for most Moroccans," says Youssef Raissouni, secretary general of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights.

Tired, discouraged, many young Moroccans have given up activism. Meanwhile, rapper Gnawi is defending the people. He releases the song "Aacha el Chaab" or "Long Live the People". In this track, he lists the ills plaguing society: poverty, difficulty accessing housing, drug use, corruption, political imprisonment... King Mohammed VI is not spared the artist’s criticism.