Lowe, C., Both, N., Foresti, M., Leach, A. and Rist, K. (2020) What drives reform? A political economy analysis of migration policy in Morocco, London : ODI.

What drove the adoption and implementation of Morocco's post-2013 migration policy, and how does it relate to the country’s development strategy and outcomes? 

This case study analyses the political economy factors affecting the evolution and implementation of migration policies in Morocco, and the implications for domestic and external aspects of Morocco’s development policies and outcomes. Morocco is an interesting case for several reasons: first, its diverse migration profile with a prominent history of emigration and transit migration, alongside rising levels of immigration; second, its location and position as a key player in migration between Africa and Europe; and third, its recent pursuit of a leadership role on migration affairs, both within the region and globally.

The main objective of this study was not to evaluate the effectiveness or impact of migration policy in Morocco, but rather to analyse the political economy factors affecting the evolution and implementation of migration policies, and the implications for domestic and external aspects of Morocco’s development policies and outcomes. The study found that, across several important dimensions of Moroccan migration policy, there is more than one side to the story.