A recent study by the Royal Elcano Institute reveals that Moroccan immigrants in Spain face the highest unemployment rates and educational challenges among immigrant groups, with a staggering 27% unemployment rate and significant school dropout concerns. Despite their crucial role in agriculture, Moroccans endure precarious working conditions, underscoring the urgent need for targeted policies to address these persistent socio-economic issues. DR ‹ › A recent study by the Royal Elcano Institute, titled «Migration and the Labor Market in Spain: African Migration», finds that Moroccans face the highest unemployment rates and the greatest educational vulnerability among immigrant groups in Spain, despite being the country's largest and one of its oldest African communities. According to the report, the unemployment rate among Moroccan immigrants stands at 27%, more than three times the rate recorded among native Spaniards (8%) and significantly higher than that of immigrants from Sub-Saharan Africa (16%). The situation is particularly acute among Moroccan women, who show the lowest levels of labor market participation. Only 42% are either employed or actively seeking work, compared with 73% among women from Sub-Saharan Africa. The report attributes this low participation largely to the limited engagement of Moroccan women in paid work outside the home. School dropout rates remain a key concern Beyond unemployment, the study highlights persistent challenges related to school dropout rates among Moroccan immigrants, who account for nearly three-quarters of African migration in Spain. It raises particular concern over young people aged 16 to 20, noting that 26% of Moroccan teenagers do not continue their studies after completing compulsory education. While this rate is lower than that recorded among the children of Sub-Saharan African immigrants (55%), it remains significantly higher than among native Spaniards. The data also reveal a pronounced gender gap within the Moroccan community itself. Dropout rates are much higher among boys (37%) than among girls (16%), suggesting that Moroccan girls achieve stronger educational outcomes in the medium term, while boys face a higher risk of early school leaving and long-term labor market vulnerability. These trends are closely linked to the overall educational profile of Moroccans in Spain, which the study identifies as the lowest among immigrant groups. Around 21% of Moroccans aged 25 to 59 have not completed primary education, and 9% are illiterate. By contrast, only 10% hold a university degree, well below the levels observed among Latin American or Asian immigrants. Strong presence in agriculture, persistent job insecurity Although Moroccans make up just 3% of Spain's total workforce, they play a crucial role in the agricultural sector, particularly in intensive farming areas in the south. In Murcia, workers of African origin, mostly Moroccans, account for 36% of the agricultural workforce, compared with 34% in Almería and 24% in Huelva. This strong presence, however, does not translate into better working conditions. Agricultural jobs remain among the most precarious in terms of wages and job stability. According to data from Spain's Social Security Treasury, Moroccan workers earn some of the lowest wages in the labor market. In December 2024, their average contribution base stood at €1,554 per month, 32% less than that of Spanish workers. The gap is even wider for women. Moroccan women recorded an average contribution base of just €1,288, compared with €2,082 for Spanish women, making them the lowest-paid group among all nationalities covered by official statistics. Second generation and long-term challenges Despite these difficulties, the study points to a significant demographic shift, with a growing number of children of Moroccan immigrants born in Spain. They now represent 31% of second-generation immigrants, underlining the Moroccan community's growing weight in Spain's social and demographic future. The report nevertheless warns that persistently high dropout rates and weak labor market integration could fuel deep social and economic challenges unless addressed through targeted public policies in education, vocational training, and social inclusion. It concludes that Moroccan migration is no longer a temporary phenomenon but a structural reality in Spanish society. While Moroccans form the backbone of African migration in Spain, the central challenge remains breaking the cycle of unemployment and early school leaving, key conditions for lasting social and professional integration.
