Naturalisations, 2001

In 2000 as well as in 2001 the number of granted Norwegian citizenships has increased. The number of Bosnians granted Norwegian citizenship, 900 in 2000 and 3000 in 2001. During the last two years many Bosnians have been allowed to apply for Norwegian citizenship after having lived here for seven years.

Persons with former citizenship from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Yugoslavia represented the largest groups last year, 3000 and 1200 naturalizations respectively. Other large groups came from Somalia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Pakistan who had 670, 590, 480 and 410 naturalizations respectively.

Half to Europeans

Above half of all granted Norwegian citizenships were given to Europeans, because the number of naturalizations among East Europeans increased the last year. Persons with Asiatic citizenship represented 31 per cent of all naturalizations last year. From 1985 and until 2000 persons from Asia made up the biggest group. Nordic citizens represented 4 per cent of the naturalizations in 2001, while citizens from Western Europe represented 6 per cent. Africans citizenship represented 11 per cent in 2001 and 7 per cent in 2000. The increase is due to 350 Somalis who were granted Norwegian citizenship.

138 300 since 1977

Since 1977 138 300 persons have been naturalized. Non-Western citizens represented 83 per cent, which means persons from Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia, Turkey, South and Central America. Nearly 8 per cent of the citizenships have been granted to Nordic persons, and 6 per cent to other Western Europeans.

Almost 3000 in Oslo

Oslo represented the highest number naturalizations, 3000. This group made up 6.2 per cent of foreign citizens in Oslo.

Compared with the number of foreign citizens there were most naturalizations in Østfold, 8.5 per cent, followed by Vest-Agder, Vestfold and Aust-Agder with approximately 7 per cent for each county. There were fewest in the three northern counties where the percentage varied between 3 and 3.5 per cent.

Tables:

• Table 1 Naturalizations, by sex, age and previous citizenship. 2001
• Table 2 Naturalizations by previous citizenship. 1977-2001
• Table 3 Naturalizations, by county. 1977-2001
• Table 4 Naturalizations, by previous citizenship and county. 2001
• Table 5 Naturalizations by sex, county and municipality. 2001
• Table 6 Naturalizations, by selected previous citizenship and age groups. 2001
• Table 7 Naturalizations. 1977-2001
• Table 8 Naturalizations, by county. 2001