Rabat – The latest report from the Arab Barometer on Morocco shows that 55% of Moroccans do not think racial discrimination is a problem in the country.
The report notes that wealthier and more educated Moroccans are less likely to find that racial discrimination is a problem, with a third of more educated respondents finding it an issue, compared to one in four of those with a high school diploma or less.
Nearly half of Moroccans who cannot meet their expenses also think the societal issue is a problem, compared to only 29% of those who can cover expenses.
Additionally, the survey noted that Moroccans living in the Oriental region were more likely to think racial discrimination is an issue, possibly due to the high representation of sub-Saharan immigrants and refugees in their region.
The survey also asked respondents about personal experiences with racism and discrimination, with 11% of Moroccans saying they had someone use racially discriminating phrases against them in the past.
Wealthier Moroccans, again, reported fewer instances of being subject to racial abuse; only 7% said they did.
In the latest survey, over 60% of respondents thought that discrimination against sub-Saharan migrants specifically is a problem to a small, medium, or great extent.
The report also notes that the status of Morocco is shifting from being a transit country for those hoping to go to Europe, to becoming a country where migrants are willing to live and settle.
In a study published by the Arab Barometer in November, author Nisrine Hilizah explained that Morocco stood out in comparison to other MENA regions where they deemed “anti-black” discrimination specifically to be more of a problem than racial discrimination.
Morocco’s history as a transit country for sub-Saharan migrants who wish to reach Europe contributed to the numbers, the 2022 report divulged. As of 2021, there were 700,000 sub-Saharan migrants living in the country.
