Despite booming economy, young Moroccans still dream of Europe

Migrants return to Morocco from Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa, in Fnideq, Morocco, on Aug. 2. | Sergey Ponomarev / The New York Times

AFP-JIJI

Aug 16, 2026

Rabat, Morocco – When 72,000 would-be migrants crossed from Morocco to the Spanish exclave of Ceuta last month, it revived memories of previous European migration crises, but a key difference this time is that many weren’t fleeing destitution or conflict.

In fact, Morocco’s economy is booming, at least on the surface, but experts say the persistent allure of life on the other side of the border is rooted in deeper anxieties, particularly among the young.

Even with 70,000 of the migrants pushed back in the days immediately after crossing and dozens dying in the attempt, the pull remains strong, with Moroccan authorities saying they have taken measures against fresh calls on social media for a mass crossing on Saturday, a public holiday in Spain.

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