Norway's citizenship surge hits record 35,021 in 2025, led by Syrians
Norway granted citizenship to 35,021 people in 2025, marking a sharp rise from previous years. The figure represents a 28 percent increase compared to 2024. New citizens came from 148 different countries, reflecting the nation’s growing diversity. The surge continues a broader trend of rising naturalizations. Since 2020, Norway has averaged around 33,300 citizenships per year—more than double the 14,400 annual average in the six years before that. Of those granted citizenship in 2025, 84 percent were immigrants.
Syrians saw the most significant increase, with 7,628 receiving Norwegian passports—twice as many as in 2024. They accounted for 22 percent of all naturalizations last year. Filipinos and Eritreans also typically waited around eight years before gaining citizenship, similar to Syrians. In contrast, citizens from neighbouring countries often spent far longer in Norway before naturalization. Danes, Swedes, Germans, Lithuanians, and Poles waited between 13 and 18 years on average. German nationals alone saw a notable rise, with 1,796 obtaining Norwegian citizenship in 2025, up from 804 the previous year.
The 2025 figures highlight Norway’s expanding immigrant population and faster naturalization rates. Syrians now form the largest group of new citizens, while neighbouring Europeans tend to wait longer before applying. The overall increase suggests a steady rise in long-term integration across the country.
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