Moroccan Youth Eye Emigration as Job Hopes Fade, Report Says
Rabat – In Morocco today, the dreams of young university graduates take shape in a landscape filled with ambition and frustration.
The latest Afrobarometer survey, carried out in 2024, depicts a youth determined to build a better life, yet constantly confronted with economic and institutional barriers that slow their steps.
Far from being passive, this generation keeps pushing forward. It holds on to hope but sees the cracks in the system. Education, for many, was supposed to be a ticket to stability. Instead, it often leads to a long wait, uncertain prospects, and difficult choices.
Jobs top the list of concerns. Among Moroccans aged 18 to 35, the desire for stable and qualified employment is nearly universal. But reality hits hard.
Only 32% of these young people say they are satisfied with the country's economic health. More than one in three faces unemployment. Of those, over half are still searching, not ready to give up.
Faced with few real prospects at home, many begin to imagine a future elsewhere. The survey shows that 70% of young Moroccans have already considered leaving the country. That's not a vague idea; it's a deeply personal response to a national challenge.
The urge to emigrate is not about adventure, it's about survival, opportunity, dignity. For 59% of these potential emigrants, the reason is they need work, and they cannot find it here.
This growing desire to leave is not just an economic signal. It speaks to a broken sense of belonging. It reflects the feeling that talent and effort go unnoticed. Disillusionment with power
Moroccan youth do not only question the economy, they also look critically at those in charge. Trust in the country's institutions is alarmingly low. Only 32% say they trust parliament. Just 35% trust the government. As for political parties, confidence drops to a mere 23%.
A quarter of all citizens surveyed believe the government gives little or no account of its actions to the public. This distrust runs deep, but it does not mean young people have stopped expecting change. On the contrary, they want a government that works for them, clear, competent, and committed to solving real problems.
The demands are not vague. Young graduates know what they need and expect the state to deliver. Education comes first. Improving schools and universities matters to 61% of respondents. Healthcare follows closely, with 60% saying it must improve. Then come the roads and infrastructure, essential for any real economic momentum.
These are not random preferences. They reflect a belief in a stronger, fairer state. One that guarantees decent services and opens doors for those willing to work hard.
The Afrobarometer findings show a young Moroccan population that sees the world clearly.
These graduates recognize the weight of the challenges they face, but they have not resigned themselves to failure. They want more than survival. They want to matter. They expect those in power to act, and they will keep asking until someone answers. Tags: EducationEmigrationMoroccoMorocco youth
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