Morocco ranks second in Africa for receiving irregular migrants, report finds

Morocco has become the second most popular destination in Africa for irregular migrants from Sub-Saharan countries and ranks third for asylum applications, according to a new report by the African Observatory for Development and Rehabilitation, a Nigerian-led research organization.

The annual report, which analyzed migration dynamics across the continent, placed Morocco just behind South Africa in terms of the number of irregular migrants received. Over the past five years, more than 87,000 undocumented migrants have settled in the country, including over 6,000 minors. Additionally, Morocco processed over 12,000 asylum applications in 2023 alone.

The report attributed the influx to migration along the Western and Central African routes and noted that Morocco’s ongoing regularization campaigns and integration efforts, such as access to education, vocational training, and healthcare, have helped approximately 25,000 migrants integrate partially into society.

Despite these advances, the report emphasized that integration programs remain limited in reach and effectiveness, especially regarding access to employment and housing. As a result, over 40,000 migrants still view Morocco primarily as a transit point to Europe rather than a final destination.

Asylum Applications and Regional Comparisons

The observatory’s findings highlight Morocco’s shift from a mere transit country to a hub of longer-term settlement for many Sub-Saharan migrants fleeing conflict and humanitarian crises, especially in the Sahel and Sahara regions. This change is largely attributed to Morocco’s migration regularization strategy, launched in 2013, which granted legal status to thousands of migrants.

In terms of asylum applications, Morocco ranked third behind South Africa and Uganda. The report noted a significant disparity in how North African countries handle irregular migration.

Libya ranked seventh for irregular migrant reception due to ongoing security chaos and a lack of administrative control, while Algeria placed fifth, hindered by porous borders and the absence of integration policies. Tunisia came in ninth due to its economic challenges and limited institutional capacity.

However, Tunisia outpaced both Algeria and Libya in asylum processing, ranking sixth thanks to rudimentary administrative structures. Algeria followed in eighth place, and Libya trailed last due to the total absence of functional asylum systems.

Challenges and Institutional Strain

Human rights experts and researchers cited in the report acknowledged Morocco’s growing role as a receiving country but warned of mounting social and economic pressures. The influx is straining infrastructure and public services already under pressure from domestic needs.

Salwa Akkad, a migration policy researcher, told Hespress AR that Morocco is no longer just a stopover point to Europe but a temporary destination for a rising number of Sub-Saharan migrants. She cited blocked migration routes to Europe and worsening crises in countries of origin as key drivers.

While Morocco’s recent integration efforts, such as legal residency campaigns, vocational training programs, and school and healthcare access, have yielded positive outcomes, Akkad warned that these measures require stronger institutional backing to prevent long-term vulnerability from becoming entrenched.

She also stressed the need for regional cooperation and increased European Union support. “The EU must go beyond security concerns and support Morocco in funding social integration and development programs,” she said.

Focus on Youth and Vulnerable Groups

Child rights advocate Mourad Chouika emphasized the heightened responsibilities Morocco now faces in protecting vulnerable migrant groups, especially women and children. He pointed to the alarming number of unaccompanied minors facing school dropouts, healthcare exclusion, and exploitation.

Chouika called for urgent public investment in targeted educational and integration programs for migrant children, warning against the social marginalization of these young populations.

The situation for young adult migrants is equally troubling, Chouika noted. Many face unemployment, exclusion from social systems, and psychological pressures, which he described as a “daily confrontation with hopelessness.”

Chouika advocated for comprehensive public policies that place young migrants at the heart of Morocco’s development vision, ensuring they have access to training, dignity, and participation.

He concluded by urging the Moroccan state to move beyond a purely security-driven approach and toward a sustainable, inclusive migration strategy. This includes strengthening partnerships with civil society to build a coordinated protection system and regularly evaluating policy effectiveness in line with Morocco’s human rights obligations.

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