What contribution of North-South migration to the Moroccan Economy?

Abstract

Foreign migration to Morocco, mainly from Spain and France, also known as North-South migration, has deep historical roots.  It is an old phenomenon that has been fueled by economic, social and even cultural factors since the second half of the 20th century, and whose scale has increased in recent years, particularly since the global economic crisis of 2008-2009.

The most recent data available show that French and Spanish migrants account for an increasing proportion of all migrants residing in Morocco. This trend can be attributed to a number of factors, including the country's political stability and economic dynamism, thanks to the accelerated pace of reforms aimed at strengthening its integration into the global economy.

In addition to these determining factors, Morocco's unique intercontinental geographical location, its rich and diverse cultural identity and its living conditions, which offer an affordable price/quality ratio by European standards, are also attractive factors that explain why some migrants from western countries choose Morocco as their country of residence.

The aim of this paper is to identify the specific characteristics of the new North-South migration pattern to Morocco, focusing on immigrants from European countries and North America, particularly the United States and Canada. Emphasis is placed on the contribution of this new form of migration to the Moroccan economy in terms of its contribution to value added and job creation, based on recent data provided by the relevant Moroccan authorities and covering the period 2005-2019. The paper also explores some reflections that could enable Morocco to make the most of this type of migration.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Foreign direct investment, Morocco, North-South migration, foreign employees

JEL Classification: J61

Paper type: Theoretical Research