Naturalisations, 2003

Most Norwegian citizenships were granted to Bosnians (1 950). 500 and 400 citizenships were granted to Pakistanis and Iraqis respectively. Other large single groups, which were granted Norwegian citizenship was persons with earlier citizenship from Turkey, Somalia, Serbia and Montenegro, Sri Lanka and Russia. There is no information about how many who keep their previous citizenship in addition to the Norwegian.

During the last four years earlier Bosnians were granted more than 7 000 Norwegian citizenships. The high number of naturalizations among earlier Bosnians is due to many foreign Bosnian citizens who have obtained 7 years residence in Norway, and therefore may apply for Norwegian citizenship.

Earlier Bosnians were the only group with an increase in the number of naturalizations from 2002 to 2003. Despite for earlier Bosnians there was a decrease or a moderate increase among the other citizen groups. The largest decrease was recorded among persons with earlier citizenship from Pakistan, Serbia and Montenegro and Sri Lanka.

Non-western citizens stood for 90 per cent

More than 7 000, or about 90 per cent, of those who were granted Norwegian citizenship last year had earlier citizenship in a non-western country. Citizens from Africa, Asia and South and Central America stood for over 4 000, and Eastern Europe for 3 000.

The total number of naturalizations from 1977, are 155 000, and more than 130 000 of these applied to non-Western citizens.

To apply for Norwegian citizenship the main rule is that you have lived in Norway for 7 years or more. It is therefore interesting to look at granted citizenship compared with foreign citizens who have lived in Norway for 7 years and longer. Per 1 January 2003 77 000 foreign citizens could apply for naturalization after this main rule. In 2003 the number of persons who were granted Norwegian citizenship were 7 900. The number varies a lot among different groups. From Sweden and Denmark there were 26 000 citizens with residence 7 years or more. Only 340 from these countries were granted Norwegian citizenship last year. From other western countries there were relatively few who naturalized. From non-Western countries there were relatively many who were granted Norwegian citizenship. This applies specially to countries where many have arrived to Norway as refugees. At the beginning of 2003, for some countries as Iraq, the number of persons who were granted Norwegian citizenship was larger during 2003 than the number of Iraqi citizens that have lived more than 7 years in Norway. This is connected to the exceptions of the rules of 7 years residence, who apply specially for persons who is married to, or children of a Norwegian citizen. During 2003 there were 102 per 1000 foreign citizen with 7 years or more of residence in Norway who were granted Norwegian citizenship. The year before the equivalent part was 108 per 1000.

Tables:

• Table 1 Naturalizations, by sex, age and previous citizenship. 2003
• Table 2 Naturalizations by previous citizenship. 1977-2003
• Table 3 Naturalizations, by county. 1977-2003
• Table 4 Naturalizations, by selected previous citizenship and age groups. 2003
• Table 5 Naturalizations. 1977-2003
• Table 6 Naturalizations, by county. 2003