Growing Presence of Moroccans in Belgium
Recent findings from Belgium's Federal Migration Centre, known as Myria, reveal that Moroccans constitute one of the largest non-European Union communities in the country. The report, titled "Migration in Figures and Rights," offers a comprehensive analysis of Belgium's demographic landscape and immigration policies. As of January 1, 2025, Belgium's population reached approximately 11.8 million, with a notable 25%—or nearly 3 million individuals—holding a first foreign nationality. This statistic highlights the significant role that the Moroccan community plays within Belgium's multicultural framework.
Myria employs three key indicators to categorize the population: the current nationality, the first nationality recorded in Belgium's National Register, and the nationality of individuals' parents. Among the foreign nationals residing in Belgium, 55% originate from outside the EU, while 45% come from EU member states. Interestingly, the average age of non-EU nationals is 38, contrasting with an older average age of 42.3 for EU nationals. This demographic data underscores the youthful vigor that the Moroccan community brings to Belgium.
Moroccans Leading the Way in Naturalization
The report emphasizes the remarkable presence of Moroccans among those who have successfully obtained Belgian citizenship. They lead the statistics in Flanders and the Brussels-Capital Region, while holding second place in Wallonia, just behind Italian nationals. In Flanders alone, 109,153 Moroccans have been naturalized, with women making up nearly half of this figure at 49.7%, and the average age of naturalized Moroccans being 43.3 years. In Wallonia, the number of naturalized Moroccans is 50,489, of which 48.3% are women and the average age rises slightly to 45.8. The Brussels-Capital Region boasts a total of 108,879 Moroccan citizens, with women constituting 50.2% and an average age of 46.5.
Among the various naturalized communities, Moroccans are distinguished by their comparatively younger demographic, with an average age of 46.5 in Brussels. This stands in stark contrast to other groups, such as Italians, who average 54.4 years, and French nationals in Wallonia with an average age of 52.3. The gender distribution among naturalized Moroccans is also noteworthy, with female representation ranging from 48% to 50% across different regions, reflecting a balanced demographic profile.
In 2024, Belgium experienced a total of 194,212 arrivals, including 171,706 foreign nationals. However, the country also witnessed 128,168 departures, with 91,866 being foreign nationals. The overall immigration numbers for foreign nationals saw a 19% decline compared to the previous years, largely attributed to a decrease in Ukrainian arrivals due to the ongoing conflict in their homeland. Notably, Moroccans ranked sixth among the largest new arrival groups in 2024, with 7,404 individuals immigrating, making up 4% of all foreign arrivals. This trend illustrates a gradual increase in Moroccan immigration over the past decade, reflecting a rise from 5,291 arrivals in 2014 to 6,696 in 2019. The average age of new Moroccan migrants is 30.5, with women representing 51% of these arrivals.
Belgium also issued 159,060 first residence permits in 2024, with 139,406 granted to individuals born abroad and 19,654 to those born in Belgium. This total reflects a 17% decrease in first permits compared to the previous two years, primarily due to fewer Ukrainians receiving temporary protection. Among third-country nationals, including Moroccans, a total of 80,576 first residence permits were issued, marking a 3% increase from 2023. Moroccans notably ranked second in this category, receiving 6,586 permits, following Ukrainians. The primary reasons for issuing these permits include family reunification (34%), international protection (16%), temporary protection (14%), study (13%), and work-related permits (10%).
As reported by en.yabiladi.com.
