Transforming brain drain into capital gain: Morocco's changing relationship with migration and remittances

Abstract

Morocco has depended on migration and remittances for much of its economic survival, but recent migration restrictions and decreasing remittance transfers have questioned such a strategy. This article divides Morocco's relationship with remittances into three stages: high hopes for developing Morocco through their investment; a lack of positive results; and a new solution in the free trade agreement with the EU. By examining past Moroccan migration and development policies, this paper addresses agricultural development, changing family structure, return migration and the brain drain, concluding with policy implications for Morocco.