Number of Moroccan refugees 2010-2023

In 2023, the number of refugees from Morocco stood at 8,800. This represented a slight decrease from the previous year, when 10,400 Moroccan refugees were registered in different parts of the world. The number of forced migrants from Morocco granted complementary or temporary protection elsewhere, as well as those in refugee-like situations, increased during the period under study, peaking in 2022. Overall, migration from and person displacements in Morocco have often been caused by conflicts and climate-related disasters.

Natural disasters and person displacements

In September 2023, an earthquake hit the Moroccan areas near the town of Oukaïmedene in western Morocco. Additionally, a wildfire was registered that year. New person displacements due to natural catastrophes added up to more than 500,000 in the same year. In previous years, up to around 15,000 people living in the country had been newly displaced by naturally occurring disasters.

Broader African migration trends

The situation in Morocco is part of a larger pattern of migration within Africa. In South Africa, for instance, Zimbabwe was the primary source of immigrants in 2022, accounting for 48.5 percent of incoming migrants. This underscores the diverse and interconnected nature of migration flows across the continent, with countries often serving as both origin and destination for different migrant groups. The increasing refugee populations in countries like Morocco and Uganda reflect the ongoing challenges of displacement and the need for regional cooperation in addressing these issues.