Naturalisations, 2004

Still most from Bosnia-Herzegovina

Bosnians were the largest group of foreign citizens that became naturalized in 2004, with 800 people. Still, this is 1 000 fewer than in 2003. Iraqis were the second largest group with 620 naturalizations, followed by Pakistanis (570), Somalis (570), Iranians (510), Turks (390) and Russians (380). The largest increase in the number of naturalizations from 2003 to 2004 was recorded among Iranians and Iraqis with 280 and 220 respectively.

90 per cent were former citizens in a non-western country

Almost 7 300, or 90 per cent, of those who were granted Norwegian citizenship in 2004 were former citizens in a non-western country. 1 900 of these came from Eastern Europe. About 900 of those who became naturalized previously had citizenship in a western country. 163 400 persons have been granted Norwegian citizenship since 1977. 137 700, or 85 per cent, were former citizens in a non-western country.

More women than men

Slightly more women than men became naturalized in 2004, with 55 per cent. The proportion of women was especially high among Thais, Philippians and Russians, with three in four women. The proportion of men was high among Turks, with 60 per cent.

Four in ten younger than 18 years of age

36 per cent of the new Norwegian citizens in 2004 were younger than 18 years of age. The proportion of children aged less than 18 years of age was especially high among Danes and Swedes with 71 and 59 per cent respectively. Among former Moroccans, Poles, Chileans, Russians and Bosnians less than 25 per cent were younger than 18 years old.

One out of three lived in Oslo

2 700, or 32 per cent, of those who were granted Norwegian citizenship in 2004 lived in Oslo. For comparison, 25 per cent of those with foreign citizenship live in Oslo.

Tables:

• Table 1 Naturalizations, by sex, age and previous citizenship. 2004
• Table 2 Naturalizations by previous citizenship. 1977-2004
• Table 3 Naturalizations. 1977-2004
• Table 4 Naturalizations, by county. 2004