Remittances sent home by Moroccans living abroad exceeded US$12.2 billion by the end of November 2025, official data showed, underlining the continued importance of diaspora transfers to the country’s economy.
Figures released by Morocco’s Exchange Office showed that remittances reached the equivalent of US$12.23 billion, up 1.6 percent from the same period a year earlier.
In November 2024, remittances stood at about US$12.0 billion, the data showed.
Transfers from Moroccans residing abroad commonly referred to as MREs are one of the country’s largest sources of foreign currency and a key support for household incomes.
Remittance inflows have remained resilient in recent years despite global economic uncertainty, contributing to domestic consumption and helping to cushion vulnerable households against rising living costs.
Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita has previously highlighted the broader significance of diaspora transfers, particularly for African economies.
Speaking in 2023, Bourita said remittance transfers from African diasporas were “the most expensive in the world”, with average transaction costs of around 8 percent, compared with about 6 percent in other regions.
“For every $200 transferred by a member of the African diaspora, Africa pays around $16, while Asia pays less than $10,” he said.
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Bourita added that remittances play a critical role in supporting social stability, providing a steady source of income for millions of families across the continent.
Morocco’s central bank governor, Abdellatif Jouahri, has also stressed the importance of remittances, describing them as a vital financial lifeline for many households and a stabilising factor for the national economy.
Beyond diaspora inflows, the Exchange Office also reported a widening of Morocco’s trade imbalance.
The country’s trade deficit rose by 20.4 percent to about US$36 billion by the end of November 2025, driven by higher levels of both imports and exports.
Officials attributed the increase largely to rising goods imports, particularly energy and industrial inputs, alongside a parallel rise in exports.
Morocco has been seeking to boost export revenues while containing import growth, as authorities pursue policies aimed at strengthening external balances and sustaining economic growth.
Despite the widening trade deficit, steady remittance inflows have helped ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves, analysts say, reinforcing the role of the Moroccan diaspora as a pillar of macroeconomic stability.
