Migration pressure: Morocco on the verge of a silent reception crisis

Wednesday 16 July 2025 - 09:38

According to the latest annual report by the African Observatory for Development and Rehabilitation, Morocco ranks as the second-largest host country in Africa for irregular migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, just behind South Africa. It also holds third place in asylum application numbers, following South Africa and Uganda.

The report indicates that more than 87,000 undocumented migrants currently reside in Morocco, including over 6,000 minors, and that 12,300 asylum applications were submitted in 2023 alone.

While around 25,000 migrants have benefited from partial integration through national campaigns granting access to education, healthcare, and vocational training, over 40,000 individuals continue to view Morocco as a transit country en route to Europe.

Despite efforts launched in 2013 to improve integration policies, the country’s capacity to absorb this influx is showing signs of strain. The report points to significant gaps in employment and housing services, with most public infrastructure nearing saturation.

The cumulative impact of this silent humanitarian burden is beginning to reshape Morocco’s migration landscape. The Kingdom, already facing domestic socio-economic challenges, is increasingly becoming a long-term destination for people fleeing war, poverty, and instability.

These findings call for a balanced response—one that upholds human rights while preserving social cohesion and protecting national interests. Without such recalibration, the pressures may soon overwhelm existing structures and fuel broader tensions.