Grandchildren of Guest Workers Return to Morocco: ‘To Be Part of What’s Happening There’

A growing number of grandchildren of Moroccan guest workers in Belgium are choosing to return to Morocco, expressing a desire “to be part of what’s happening there.” The trend reflects a significant shift in identity dynamics among younger generations of the Moroccan-Belgian community, driven by Morocco’s rapid economic transformation and evolving perceptions of opportunity.

A Reversal of the Migration Story

In the 1960s and 1970s, their grandparents arrived in Belgium in large numbers to work in mines, steel factories, and construction, answering a call from the government and companies facing a shortage of cheap labor. The original plan was for them to return to Morocco after a period of work. In practice, most stayed, brought their families over, and built new lives. Today, the Moroccan-Belgian community numbers over 430,000 people.

But in 2026, a different dynamic is emerging. According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the question among young Belgian Moroccans is no longer whether to make the leap, but when. “Ten years ago you heard nobody about this here,” says Mohammed (24), an entrepreneur from Antwerp who has already moved to Morocco. “Today almost everyone is thinking about it.”

Embassy Data Confirms the Trend

The Moroccan embassy in Brussels has already conducted approximately 250 conversations with Belgian Moroccans in 2026 about a potential move or investment in Morocco, as reported by HLN. The Belgian Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs has also noted a slight increase in Belgians registering in consular population registers at the Belgian embassy in Rabat.

Moroccan Ambassador Mohammed Ameur identifies four groups of returnees: first-generation retirees, highly educated professionals, entrepreneurs and project leaders, and young people seeking internships, jobs, or investment opportunities. Most settle in major economic centers: Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, and Marrakech.

A Land Transformed

For young returnees like Sami (25), from Vilvoorde, now living permanently in Tangier, the Morocco of today bears little resemblance to the country their grandparents left behind. “The Morocco of today is absolutely not the Morocco of ten years ago,” he says. “We see a gigantic evolution.” The 2030 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Morocco with Spain and Portugal, has accelerated investment in infrastructure and development.

Sami draws a direct comparison with his grandparents’ generation: “They left Morocco because the standard of living and wages in Belgium were simply unattainable there. If Morocco had had today’s opportunities back then, nobody would have left.”

Morocco has invested heavily in infrastructure, industry, and technology. An investment charter now financially supports certain projects and simplifies administrative procedures for investments by Moroccans abroad. The country is actively courting its diaspora through initiatives like the Tangier Forum on Investment and Moroccans Abroad, held in May 2026 under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, and the DiaspoBoost Summit Africa 2026 in Casablanca.

The Diaspora Economy

The economic stakes are significant. Moroccan diaspora remittances reached a record of approximately 13 billion euros (122 billion dirhams) in 2025, up 2.6% from the previous year, according to nieuws.marokko.nl. Morocco is working to transform these remittances into productive investments rather than simple money transfers.

A Dutch Parallel

The trend extends beyond Belgium. In the Netherlands, hundreds of Moroccan Dutch citizens emigrate to Morocco annually, with a distinct Dutch neighborhood forming in Tangier. As De Kanttekening reported, citing NOS/Nieuwsuur, the reasons include economic opportunities in Morocco as well as feelings of not being welcome in the Netherlands.

Identity and Belonging

For many young returnees, the move is not about abandoning Belgium but about embracing a dual identity. “I am also just a Belgian,” says Mohammed. “I was born here and we are simply the product of a dual nationality.” He and Sami have no plans to give up their Belgian passports, even as they build their lives and businesses in Morocco.

The Moroccan ambassador frames the movement as a positive transnational dynamic. “The most successful projects are often those that build a bridge between Belgium and Morocco,” Ameur says. “If we guide this well, this movement can be of great added value for both Morocco and Belgium - and Europe.”

Ambassador Ameur also acknowledges that some Moroccans in Europe experience the social climate as more polarized and feel that their contribution or identity is less valued. Researcher Jeremy Mandin of the University of Liege, who has studied the trend, points to “persistent economic and social problems in Belgium” on one hand and “the irresistible attraction of dynamic cities like Casablanca and Rabat” on the other.

What’s Next

As Morocco continues its rapid modernization and the 2030 World Cup approaches, all indicators suggest the return migration trend will accelerate. The Moroccan embassy plans to formalize its network of 250 interested Belgian Moroccans to share experiences and facilitate the transition. For Mohammed and Sami, the future lies in helping others make the same journey - building a network to guide families and entrepreneurs through their relocation.

“The Morocco of today is not the Morocco of ten years ago,” Sami says. “We see a country that is moving forward. And we want to be part of it.”