A recent Dutch study, titled 'Migranten met Marokkaanse afkomst, land van herkomst en toekomst — Ontwikkelen van verbondenheid en identificatie' (Migrants of Moroccan origin, country of origin and future — Development of belonging and identification), reveals that second-generation Moroccan-Dutch youth feel a weaker connection to Morocco compared to their parents' generation. The research, conducted by the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) and published in 2025, surveyed over 1,000 individuals of Moroccan descent living in the Netherlands.
Key findings indicate that while first-generation migrants maintain strong ties to Morocco through regular visits and cultural practices, their children born in the Netherlands increasingly identify with Dutch society. Only 35% of second-generation respondents reported feeling 'very connected' to Morocco, compared to 72% of their parents. The study attributes this shift to factors such as language proficiency, education in Dutch schools, and social integration in local communities.
However, the research also notes that many young Moroccan-Dutch still value their heritage, with 60% expressing pride in their Moroccan roots. The decline in connection is more pronounced among those who have never visited Morocco or who lack fluency in Arabic or Berber dialects. The study suggests that policies promoting dual cultural engagement could help bridge this generational gap.
