Back to Turkey and Morocco?
An increasing number of Turks and Moroccans living in the Netherlands are remigrating to their country of origin. Nearly 3 thousand first generation and one thousand second generation Turks left the Netherlands in 2004. Many of them left for Turkey, the country where they themselves or their parents were born. Emigration to Turkey fell in the nineties, but has been climbing again since the beginning of this century, mainly among first generation Turks.
Emigration of Moroccans has also been rising slightly in recent years. In 2004 1.6 thousand first generation and nearly one thousand second generation Moroccans left the Netherlands.Emigration of Turks and Moroccans from the Netherlands
Most Turks and Moroccans want to stay in the Netherlands
Most Turks and Moroccans want to stay in the Netherlands
Statistics Netherlands has carried out a survey of emigration plans of young Turks and Moroccans. They were asked whether they intend to stay in the Netherlands or to settle for good in their country of origin. One in ten 18-27 year-old Turks sees possibilities in going back to Turkey. Only one in twenty young Moroccans plans to return to Morocco. Around two-thirds of young Turks and three-quarters of young Moroccans do not wish to or do not think they will take this step. It should also be said that one in six young Turks and Moroccans have not even considered the possibility or remigration.
Emigration intentions of young Turks and Moroccans
‘I like living in the Netherlands’
Young Turks and Moroccans give a wide range of reasons for wanting to stay in the Netherlands permanently. Nearly half of them ‘like living in the Netherlands’. ‘Work’, ‘family’ and ‘there’s no future for me in my country of origin’ are also mentioned relatively often.
One third of young Moroccans and one fifth of young Turks want to stay in the Netherlands because they have no ties with Morocco and Turkey; the culture in their country of origin does not strike a chord.
Reasons for young Turks and Moroccans not to emigrate to their country of origin
Arie de Graaf