Moroccan Perspectives on Immigration and Its Economic Implications
Marrakech – A recent survey conducted by Afrobarometer has revealed that a mere 21% of Moroccans consider immigrants to be beneficial for the nation’s economy, positioning Morocco among the lowest in this regard when compared to 38 other African countries. Conversely, 36% of respondents view the economic impact of immigrants unfavorably, while a further 35% regard it as neutral, neither good nor bad. These findings stem from the 10th round of the survey network, which encompasses over 50,961 interviews across various nations in 2024 and 2025, with the Moroccan fieldwork taking place in February and March of 2024.
The report highlights attitudes toward migration as a vital indicator of social cohesion, alongside dimensions such as trust, tolerance, identity, institutional fairness, and civic cooperation. When looking at the broader African context, opinions on immigration are nearly evenly split: approximately 45% of Africans assess its economic contributions positively, while 44% hold a negative view. Notably, North Africa, which includes Morocco, Mauritania, and Tunisia, exhibits the most skepticism, with 55% of individuals perceiving the economic implications of immigration negatively and only 23% expressing a positive outlook.
Morocco's 21% positive perception is slightly below the regional average, yet its 36% negative evaluation is significantly lower, suggesting that a relatively large number of Moroccans remain neutral on the subject. This ambivalence is mirrored in the nation's policies towards immigration, where a majority, specifically 51%, advocate for the admission of fewer or no foreign job seekers. This percentage is notably lower than the continental average of 64%. Additionally, 60% of Moroccans support reducing or eliminating refugee admissions, contrasting with a continental average of 70%, indicating that Morocco's stance on immigration is more lenient than that of many African nations.
Social Tolerance and Trust Among Moroccans
In terms of social tolerance, 21% of Moroccans expressed a dislike for having an immigrant or foreign worker as a neighbor, while this sentiment rises to 39% for refugees. This figure is significantly higher than the continental average of 30% for refugee intolerance, although the perception regarding immigrants is slightly below the average of 23%. Trust levels in Morocco align closely with broader continental trends, diminishing with increasing social distance. Remarkably, 83% of Moroccans trust their relatives, and 61% have trust in their neighbors, compared to African averages of 81% and 58%, respectively. However, trust declines to 34% for individuals from different ethnic groups and 30% for those of different religions, which is below the continental averages of 49% and 48%.
When it comes to national identity, a notable 52% of Moroccans who identify with an ethnic group prioritize their national identity over their ethnic roots, while 44% feel equally attached to both. This suggests a robust sense of national identification within the country. Furthermore, perceptions of legal fairness in Morocco are relatively positive; only 33% of the population believes that individuals are often treated unequally under the law, with just 23% asserting that judges frequently favor powerful interests over the law. These numbers represent some of the lowest rates recorded alongside Tanzania and Botswana, especially when contrasted with continental averages of 59% and 51%.
Despite the positive outlook on legal fairness, informal financial support appears limited, with only 35% of Moroccans seeking assistance from family over the past year, and a mere 4% reaching out to religious or community organizations for help. This trend aligns with other regions in Africa, where family support remains paramount. Across the continent, the averages stand at 47%, 33%, and 12%, respectively. Furthermore, civic participation in Morocco is also limited, with only 15% of respondents indicating that they had collaborated with others in their community to seek government action or highlight an issue in the past year, which mirrors the average across the 38 surveyed countries.
Overall, the findings paint a portrait of Morocco as a nation characterized by strong trust within close-knit social circles and a relative sense of confidence in legal fairness, yet marked skepticism toward the economic advantages of immigration and a notable reluctance to welcome refugees as neighbors. As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
