Naturalisations, 2010

The number of naturalisations in 2010 was about the same level as last year. As in 2009, former Somali, Iraqi and Afghan citizens were the three largest groups who were granted Norwegian citizenship. Around 45 per cent of all Norwegian citizenships granted went to Asians. The second largest group was Africans, whose total number of naturalisations accounted for 27 per cent of all naturalisations in 2010. Former European citizens made up 21 per cent of all naturalisations.

Since 1977 - which is the first year we have statistics on naturalisations - and until 2010, 236 500 persons have been naturalised. The largest groups in absolute figures in the whole period were previous citizens from Pakistan (19 500), Somalia (15 000), Iraq (14 700) and Vietnam (14 600).

Slightly more women than men

About 52 per cent of those who were granted Norwegian citizenship in 2010 were women. The proportion of women was especially high among women from the Philippines and Thailand, with eight in ten women. The proportion of males was high among former stateless persons, with 65 per cent.

Thirty-six per cent of all the new citizens were children.

One out of four were resident in Oslo

Twenty-three per cent of the 12 000 who were naturalised in 2010 were resident in Oslo. Sogn og Fjordane and Finnmark had the lowest percentage of naturalisations in 2010, with 1 per cent.

Tables:

• Table 1 Naturalisations, by sex, age and previous citizenship. 2010
• Table 2 Naturalisations, by previous citizenship. 1977-2010
• Table 3 Naturalisations, by previous citizenship. 1977-2010
• Table 4 Naturalisations, by county and earlier citizenship. 2010