Rabat – Morocco hosted 17,791 refugees and asylum seekers in 2024, according to a new annual report released by the country’s National Human Rights Council (CNDH).
The figures come from data registered with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
The report states that the refugee and asylum seeker population in Morocco represents more than 60 nationalities. Syrians and Guineans account for the largest share.
These individuals live across 80 settlement points throughout Morocco, which shows how refugee communities have spread across several cities and regions rather than remain concentrated in a few locations.
Migration routes and profiles shift
The council states that migration dynamics considerably changed in 2024 amid rising geopolitical tensions and mounting global crises.
Conflicts, climate pressure, and economic hardships push increasing numbers of people to leave their home countries. Many migrants come from vulnerable groups, particularly youth and who are looking for safety or economic stability abroad.
The report notes that Morocco now receives migrants from a broader set of regions, not only from sub-Saharan Africa. This shift places new demands on reception systems, housing capacity, and integration policies. Authorities must also manage border crossings while respecting international human rights standards.
Smuggling networks expand online recruitment
Official figures cited in the report show that 58% of irregular migrants originate from West African countries, while 12% come from the Maghreb and 9% from East and Central Africa.
Moroccan authorities dismantled 332 human trafficking and migrant smuggling networks in 2024 alone. Yet the CNDH report suggests many of these criminal groups have evaded Moroccan authorities as they constantly adapt their tactics.
Smuggling networks now rely heavily on social media platforms and messaging applications to attract young migrants. Online campaigns often promote group departures and promise quick access to Europe, which increases the risks faced by migrants who attempt these journeys.
Sea crossings remain deadly
Morocco’s Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts remain key departure points for migrants who attempt to reach Europe by sea.
Moroccan rescue services saved 18,645 migrants at sea in 2024,r illustrating both the scale of maritime attempts and the pressure placed on rescue operations.
Despite these efforts, sea crossings remain extremely dangerous. The council reports more than 2,800 deaths or disappearances along migration routes toward Europe during the same year.
Still no legal framework for asylum
More than a decade after Morocco announced its National Strategy on Immigration and Asylum, the country still lacks a specific national law on asylum, the council states.
According to the CNDH report, this gap complicates the creation of a coherent legal system that protects refugees according to international standards.
The report also points to difficulties related to residency status. Moroccan authorities rarely issue official residence permits to refugees recognized by the UN refugee agency. Fewer than 10% of recognized refugees currently hold residence cards, according to the council.
Applicants must often provide proof of housing and income, conditions that many refugees cannot meet. The council warns that this requirement leaves large numbers of refugees in a fragile legal and social position.
The council notes that government authorities held more meetings in 2024 within the ministerial commission responsible for examining refugee cases. These discussions helped narrow the gap between recognition by the UN refugee agency and recognition by Moroccan institutions.
Still, the council concludes that the absence of a clear legislative framework remains the main obstacle to a comprehensive asylum policy based on rights and legal protection in Morocco.
