Why Many Moroccan Students Are Studying in China ^{CEFR B1}

Economic strain and limited opportunities are pushing many Moroccan students to study in China. China has become an important destination for African students: their numbers in Chinese higher education rose from 20,744 in 2011 to 81,562 in 2018. In 2022 Morocco ranked 18th for students studying abroad, with 74,289 overseas.

A national labour report from the High Commission for Planning recorded a 39.5 percent unemployment rate for Moroccans aged 15 to 24 in the first half of 2025. The first average net salary for university graduates does not exceed MAD 4,959 (USD 550) per month, and urban rent often prevents that income from covering living costs. Frustration contributed to youth protests that began on September 27; demonstrators demanded reforms in employment, healthcare and education, and authorities responded with a backlash.

Social media and content creators are influential: about 97 percent of young Moroccans are active on platforms. Creators such as Alae Kandil, who posts from Hangzhou and has 200,000 subscribers, focus on student life and lifestyle benefits. Educational agencies in Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakesh recruit students with messages about affordability, quality and job prospects. Two common agency models exist: those paid by institutions and those that charge students directly. Converting a student X-visa into a work Z-visa is often complex, sometimes requiring a job offer, employer sponsorship and at least two years' work experience abroad. Reports also describe unethical agency practices and scams, and it is unclear how these trends will affect long-term migration and the loss of educated youth.