34% of Moroccans want to emigrate to another country. The majority of them are young, graduates who cite economic reasons. This is according to a recent survey conducted by the Arab Barometer, a network of independent researchers around the world.
The survey covers countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region where the desire for immigration remains high and is increasing year on year. According to the barometer, the highest percentages are recorded in Jordan (48%), Sudan (46%), Tunisia (45%) and Lebanon (38%). At the bottom of the ranking, we find Palestine (25%), Libya (20%), Mauritania (18%) and finally Egypt (13%).
Of the Moroccan population in favor of immigration, 66% say they want to do so for reasons related to their precarious economic situation.
Regarding age categories, the survey highlights that young people in the MENA region, aged 18 to 29, are the most interested in immigration. Among the Moroccan population favorable to immigration, 47% are aged between 18 and 29, while those over 30 represent 28%.
Another important criterion, the people who wish to immigrate are mostly higher education graduates, more men than women.
Moreover, the survey results indicate that Morocco is the only Arab country where people wishing to immigrate (53%) have no problem leaving the country without official papers.
Conducted among more than 23,000 people representing the different countries of the MENA region, this survey is made up of ten opinion polls carried out during the period 2021-2022. In comparison with the previous survey (2018-2020), the authors of the barometer note an upward trend among populations to emigrate abroad except in Morocco where it has fallen.
