Moroccan diaspora raises concerns over rising costs and declining standards

Moroccan author Tahir Benjelloun has sparked controversy with an opinion piece highlighting frustrations among the Moroccan diaspora. Many abroad, he argues, feel that Morocco has become increasingly expensive while the quality of goods and services has declined.

“Something is expensive when neither its quality nor its quantity matches the price. You see this every day in restaurants,” Benjelloun wrote in his article for Moroccan outlet Le360.

He warned that if this trend continues, Moroccans abroad may begin to vacation elsewhere rather than return home.

“They fear their children will visit Morocco less and less and, worse, may stop sending money,” he added.

The piece provoked heated debate in local media. Critics dismissed it as excessively harsh and argued such opinions should not be voiced so openly. Supporters countered that Benjelloun merely echoed concerns Moroccans abroad have long shared privately.

Calling for government action, Benjelloun urged authorities to intervene before the situation worsens.

“The competent authorities should act to stop this decline, which continues to spread unchecked,” he wrote.