35% of Moroccans want to migrate, eyeing North America for better opportunities

At least 35% of Moroccans express a desire to migrate, with North America being the most favored destination. According to a recent Arab Barometer regional report, respondents in Morocco who wish to live abroad primarily target the USA (26%) and Canada (23%). France is also a preferred destination for 23%, followed by Spain and Italy, each cited by 22% of respondents. Within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Tunisia leads, with 46% of its population considering emigration, followed by Jordan (42%) and Lebanon (38%).

With a 35% overall rate, Morocco ranks ahead of Palestine (25%), Mauritania (22%), and Kuwait (16%). The survey data suggests that younger citizens and those with higher education are more likely to contemplate migration. Among those aged 18 to 29, 71% in Tunisia express a desire to leave, compared to 58% in Lebanon, 55% in Morocco, 54% in Jordan, 35% in Palestine, and 27% in both Mauritania and Kuwait.

For those aged 30 and over, the willingness to emigrate drops to 36% across the surveyed countries. In Kuwait, only 17% of this age group want to live elsewhere, while the figures are 36% in Tunisia, 29% in Lebanon, 24% in Morocco, 19% in Mauritania, 18% in Jordan, and 15% in Palestine. Many cite «the search for better job prospects and opportunities» or dissatisfaction with the local economic situation as their main reasons for leaving.

Arab Barometer attributes this trend to the fact that citizens who wish to emigrate «often have a more negative outlook» than those who prefer to stay. The economic factor was crucial for 90% of respondents in Jordan, 89% in Tunisia, 72% in Lebanon, 69% in Mauritania, 57% in Palestine, 45% in Morocco, and 29% in Kuwait.

While overall migration figures for many countries remain relatively stable compared to recent years, Tunisia has seen a notable increase in its citizens' desire to emigrate since the Arab Spring. In 2011, 22% considered leaving the country; this rate has steadily climbed to over 40% today.

In contrast, the percentages in Kuwait and Palestine have remained largely unchanged over the past 12 years. Jordan, however, has experienced a significant six-point decline in just two years.

Regional challenges fuel the desire to emigrate

The report also highlights other demographic factors, particularly gender. In Mauritania, 37% of men wish to leave, compared to just 8% of women. In Morocco, the rates are 45% for men and 25% for women, while in Jordan, they are 50% and 34%, respectively.

Beyond economic motivations, other factors include national challenges unique to each country. In Lebanon, 23% of respondents want to leave for political reasons, and 24% cite corruption as a driving factor. Amid rising tensions on Lebanon's southern border with Israel, 27% are concerned about personal security.

While 65% of respondents in Kuwait rate their economy as «very good» or «good», over half (56%) of those who wish to emigrate are seeking better educational opportunities. In Mauritania and Lebanon, 21% want to leave for educational reasons, while in Morocco and Palestine, 18% and 17%, respectively, cite the same reason. This figure drops to 8% in Jordan and 6% in Tunisia.

The survey results indicate that «a significant number of people in the region wish to leave their country by any means possible, including undocumented migration». This sentiment is particularly strong in Morocco, where more than half (53%) of potential migrants are considering leaving without the necessary papers. Similar sentiments are shared by 44% in Mauritania, 42% in Tunisia, 30% in Palestine, 19% in Jordan, and 17% in Lebanon.