Determinants of international migration intentions among Moroccan nurses: An empirical analysis

Abstract

Morocco is facing a structural shortage of nursing human resources, estimated at nearly 65,000 missing nurses, which is weakening the functioning of the health system. This situation is partly linked to the international migration of Moroccan nurses, the extent of which remains difficult to assess due to the lack of official statistics. In this context, analyzing migration intention constitutes a relevant tool to inform public retention policies.

This article examines the determinants of Moroccan nurses’ intention to migrate internationally using data from a national quantitative survey conducted between June and December 2024. The analysis combines descriptive statistics, association tests, and a binary logistic regression. The results show that 69.8% of surveyed nurses consider international migration if the opportunity arises. Multivariate analysis highlights the significant role of certain macroeconomic perceptions, particularly those related to inflation and difficulties in saving, as well as the perception of better working conditions abroad. By contrast, salary dissatisfaction and some local professional constraints are not significantly associated with migration intention once cross-effects are taken into account.

These findings underscore the need for multidimensional retention policies that integrate improvements in working conditions, professional recognition, and nurses’ economic security.

Classification JEL : M41

Paper type: Empirical Research