Is Francophonie Still Relevant for Morocco's Youth?
You step into a university cafe in Rabat. You hear students joke with their friends in Darija as they switch to English to chat about a Netflix show, then politely respond to a professor in refined French. Such linguistic juggling is not unique—it is a daily reality for many young people in Morocco. But as new languages emerge and old ones evolve, the question arises: What does Francophonie (the international community of French-speaking countries) mean for Morocco's youth in 2025? A language woven into Morocco's past
Francophonie has long held a dominant role in Morocco's institutions, business sector, and education system.
Although Morocco gained independence from France in 1956 , the French language persisted as the dominant language across key institutions. Decades later, it remains deeply entrenched in key areas such as law, governance, education, and foreign affairs. French remains a central language in Morocco's professional and bureaucratic spheres , maintaining its status as a language of power and access.
Similarly, while school education in Morocco shifted to Arabic after independence, universities often revert to French, particularly in scientific and professional fields, demonstrating its persisting status as the language of the working world .
For generations, French fluency opened the door to prestigious private schools and foreign-based jobs. Business deals were signed in French, medical and engineering degrees taught in it, and high-level diplomatic meetings regularly held in both French and Arabic.
Even today, French dominates written professional communication, as 32% of Moroccans use it for formal communication and business sectors.
Yet while Francophonie maintains institutional presence, its symbolic status is shifting—particularly among Morocco's youth. A generational shift
Recent data paints a clear picture: younger Moroccans are more likely to mix languages and favor English over French.
According to a 2025 survey conducted by Sunergia research group, 29% of Moroccans speak French fluently. Among individuals under the age of 34, the percentage drops slightly to around 24%, compared to only 14% in the 35–54 range. In the under-24 demographic, many now prefer combining combining Darija (Moroccan Arabic), French and English. This generational divide partly traces back to Moroccan Arabization policies in the 1980s, which reduced French language instruction in public schools. But, it also corresponds to the rise of English as a global lingua franca.
In 2024, only 9% of Moroccans reported fluency in English. A seemingly small figure, but among younger people and higher-income backgrounds, the figure rose substantially to 17% and 22% respectively.
The contrast is striking: while young Moroccans become increasingly disillusioned with Francophonie, opting for English and Darija in daily life, many businesses continue to sell the idea of Francophonie as a symbol of credibility, promoting its continental appeal in advertising and branding.
The result? A complex and layered linguistic map, with Darija as the anchor, English on the rise, and French navigating uncertain terrain. Class divides and linguistic hierarchies
The French language in Morocco remains closely tied to socioeconomic status. The same survey conducted reveals that 43% of higher-income earners are fluent in French, compared to just 6% among lower-income Moroccans.
For many years, this language divide has mirrored educational inequalities, with private schools providing superior French education and public schools struggling to uphold the same standards of quality.
'Those who do not have command of French are considered illiterate,' said Hamid El Otmani, talent and training lead at the CGEM (Confederation of Moroccan Employers), in an interview with Reuters. Many employers require French fluency for positions ranging from technicians to drivers; preparing a resume and attending interviews often requires strong French skills.
El Otmani continues, stating that 'in the Moroccan job market, mastery of French is indispensable,' as those without it are often seen as unqualified.
Yet for many young people, this bottleneck feels increasingly outdated. With English becoming the global language of business, technology, and media, French risks being seen less as a pathway to opportunity and more as a colonial remnant. Teaching tomorrow's language
To address these shifting preferences, Morocco's Ministry of Education has implemented a wide-ranging language reform. The 2024–25 school year witnessed a significant increase in English education, with the ministry anticipating that by 2026, 100% of students in public middle schools will receive English lessons.
Such initiatives will enable Morocco to garner more international representation .
The reform is set to achieve full national coverage by the 2025–26 academic year, as part of the overall government policy of promoting linguistic pluralism and reducing reliance on French. This initiative was first announced in 2022 and has since been reaffirmed in multiple government reports and education updates.
Simultaneously, the government is investing heavily in Tamazight education , the language spoken by the Amazigh people — the indigenous people of Morocco's. The government aims to integrate a more inclusive language policy that incorporates Morocco's Amazigh culture and language. English, meanwhile, is increasingly seen as a future-oriented tool for global mobility—particularly among the youth.
This linguistic shift also reflects a broader postcolonial reorientation, as Morocco gradually distances itself from French.
Critics argue that progress could be quicker, concerned that Morocco may remain linguistically dependent on a language its youth are increasingly abandoning. Cultural identity at a crossroads
Beyond vocabulary lists and grammar classes, the question of language cuts to something deeper: identity. For some, Francophonie is a reminder of colonial rule. For others, it is a practical necessity.
Many young Moroccans increasingly view French in a negative light, but businesses still remain attached to it, seeing it as a marketability tool for regional outreach.
This ambivalence mimics a broader cultural shift. While older generations may associate French with social mobility, younger Moroccans generally perceive it as out of sync with demands of a globalized future.
But not all sentiment toward French is antagonistic. Morocco's Minister of Culture, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, recently reaffirmed the importance of cultural cooperation with France, calling the relationship a 'shared future.' At the 2025 Paris Book Fair, where Morocco was guest of honor, Bensaid envisioned a partnership 'rooted in the past but without resentment'.
In this vision, Francophonie becomes less about linguistic dominance and more about cultural exchange—a rebranding that could resonate with younger Moroccans if aligned with new realities. Experts weigh in
Despite losing its popularity with the youth, Francophonie remains present among the general Moroccan population.
According to the 2024 General Census, submitted by the HCP (Haut Commissariat au Plan), 57.7% of Moroccans report some ability in French, while 20.5% can understand or speak English. Although daily use habits vary, French still dominates written communication in official and administrative contexts.
Even among scholars, there is an acknowledgment that the linguistic tide is turning. 'Morocco is a multilingual community,' state Najib Slimani and Jihad Iguider, authors of a 2023 study on Moroccan language attitudes at the Cadi Ayyad University. As a result of the dynamic linguistic background, 'it is safe to presume that the English language is on the way to replacing French and becoming the first foreign language in Morocco.'
The youth's general sentiment is that the government should advocate for more inclusive language policies. Students often describe French as 'useful but limiting,' and English as the language of the future. The path forward
So, is Francophonie still relevant in Morocco today? The answer is as complex as the country's linguistic landscape. French remains significant, particularly in institutional contexts, but it no longer possesses the singular power it once did. English, propelled by pop culture, economic opportunity, and educational reform, is increasingly viewed as the key to the future.
As Morocco reimagines its place in a multilingual world, the challenge will be to ensure that no language becomes a barrier—and that every voice, whether in Darija, Tamazight, French, or English, can be heard.
For Francophonie to remain influential in Morocco, it must evolve—especially as the new generation writes its future in an increasingly multilingual world. Tags: FrancophonieFrenchMoroccan YouthMorocco
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