Morocco thwarts 73,640 migration attempts in 2025, down 6.4%

Morocco prevented 73,640 irregular migration attempts in 2025, a 6.4% decrease compared to the previous year, the Interior Ministry said on Thursday. Authorities also dismantled more than 300 migrant-smuggling networks over the same period, according to responses sent to Reuters.

«The marked decline in interceptions points to a gradual reduction in irregular flows, reflecting the steady drying up of the migration route transiting through Morocco», a senior official said.

In parallel, Moroccan authorities rescued 13,595 migrants at sea in 2025. A total of 4,372 irregular migrants also benefited from voluntary return programs to their countries of origin.

According to the ministry, these returns reflect Morocco’s «human-centred approach to migration management», which «strikes a balance between firmness and responsibility».

The ministry noted that while Morocco has long been a key departure point for migrants heading to Europe, via the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, or through Ceuta and Melilla, migration patterns are evolving. Following strengthened cooperation with Spain since 2022, migrants have increasingly turned to alternative routes in West Africa and parts of the southern Mediterranean.