Record Surge in German Naturalizations in 2023

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The Federal Statistical Office of Germany has reported a significant rise in the number of people granted German citizenship, reaching the highest level since records began in 2000.

Sharp Increase in Naturalizations

In 2023, approximately 200,100 individuals were naturalized, marking a 19 % increase compared to the previous year. This follows a 28 % rise in 2022. The surge reflects a continuing trend in the rise of naturalizations over recent years.

Diverse Nationalities

Among New Citizens People from 157 different nationalities were granted German citizenship in 2023. The most common countries of origin were Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Romania, and Afghanistan. These five countries alone accounted for more than half of all naturalizations.

Younger Demographic

The average age of new citizens was 29.3 years, significantly younger than the overall population. Additionally, 45 % of the newly naturalized citizens were women, a lower proportion compared to the general population.

Syrian Nationals Lead in Naturalizations

Former Syrian nationals represented the largest group among the new citizens, making up over a third of all naturalizations. The number of Syrians granted citizenship increased by 56 % compared to the previous year.

This continues a trend seen in 2022, where the figure more than doubled from the previous year, and in 2021, where it increased sevenfold. The office attributed the high number of Syrian naturalizations to the significant immigration of Syrian asylum seekers between 2014 and 2016, who are now eligible for citizenship.

Rise in Ukrainian Naturalizations

The number of Ukrainian nationals granted German citizenship rose by six % to 5,900 in 2023. This follows a dramatic increase from 1,900 to 5,600 between 2021 and 2022. In 2023, Ukrainians accounted for three % of all naturalizations.

These trends highlight Germany’s evolving demographic landscape and the country’s role as a destination for migrants from various global regions.