More than 1 million people became citizens of EU member states in 2023, marking a significant increase of approximately 6.1% compared to the previous year. According to Eurostat, this brings the total new citizenships granted to 1.1 million individuals, with Spain leading the chart by granting 240,200 citizenships, amounting to 22.9% of the total. Italy followed closely with 213,600 new citizens (20.3%), and Germany granted citizenship to 199,800 individuals (19.0%).
Among those granted citizenship, 87.6% were nationals of non-EU countries, highlighting the EU's appeal to international migrants. Citizens from neighboring regions such as Syria, Morocco, and Albania constituted the largest groups of new EU nationals. Specifically, 107,500 Syrian nationals were granted citizenship, closely followed by 106,500 Moroccans and 44,400 Albanians.
Sweden emerged as the frontrunner for naturalisation rates across the EU, achieving 7.9 citizenships per 100 non-national residents. Romania and Italy followed with rates of 5.9 and 4.1, respectively, indicating differences across the region. Meanwhile, Baltic states like Lithuania (0.1), Latvia (0.4), and Estonia (0.5) reported the lowest naturalisation rates.
Eurostat provided these statistics to offer insight not only on citizenship statistics but also on the broader European migration patterns. The concept of naturalisation itself involves individuals applying for citizenship through governmental systems, which can vary significantly between states.
On another front, the EU economy indicated resilience through its services export sector, where large enterprises dominated the market. Data from 2022 showed large companies with 250 or more employees accounted for 56% of the services exports from EU countries to non-EU nations.
Countries like Finland (74%), Germany (72%), and Slovakia (70%) demonstrated particularly high levels of export activity from large enterprises. Conversely, small enterprises contributed 14% of these exports, and medium-sized enterprises made up 10%. This disparity highlights the scale at which larger firms operate compared to their smaller counterparts.
Interestingly, some regions displayed different trends. Malta (86%), Estonia (59%), and Luxembourg (49%) saw small enterprises taking the lead on exports, showcasing the diversity and complexity of the EU’s business environment.
A noteworthy aspect of this export situation is the role of foreign-controlled enterprises, which play a pivotal role in EU services exports. Countries such as Luxembourg (85%), Ireland (80%), and the Netherlands (64%) reported significant contributions from foreign enterprises, which reshapes the narrative of domestic versus foreign enterprise influence on EU economic performance.
Conversely, domestic enterprises thrived particularly well in Denmark (79%), Finland (70%), and France (63%), illustrating how local businesses can still hold substantial sway within their markets.
The reports and statistics, compiled by Eurostat, highlight the interconnectedness of migration, citizenship, and economic activity within the EU. This data not only informs policymakers but also sheds light on changing demographic patterns and economic dependencies.
By continuing to track the acquisition of citizenship and the dynamics of service exports, the EU can adapt its framework to meet the demands of its diverse populace and the international market. This dual analysis serves as both a reflection of current states and as a forecast for future developments, keeping stakeholders informed and ready to respond to shifts across the continent.
Overall, the numbers reveal a rich blend of migration patterns leading to citizenship acquisition, alongside insights on economic engagement through service exports, both of which are shaping the EU’s future identity on the world stage.