This paper describes and analyses the usefulness of naturalisation rates as an indicator for political incorporation of migrants in Europe. This paper was developed in light of the production of indicators of migrant integration across Europe by the European Commission, endorsed by the Ministerial Conference in Zaragoza in 2010. One such indicator is generally defined as the “share of immigrants that have acquired citizenship”. This paper provides an overview of naturalisation rates in Europe by analysing existing data since 1998, discussing and examining different ways of calculating naturalisation rates, as well as seeking to explain differences in naturalisation rates across time and space. In addition, a case study on naturalisation rates in Austria is included, to further elaborate naturalisation rates. The paper shows that naturalisation rates – calculated as the percentage of annual acquisitions of citizenship to the total number of foreign citizens at the beginning of the year – are influenced by a variety of factors, including naturalisation policies and demographic developments. They, however, serve as a good general indicator for political incorporation of immigrants in European countries.

Publication details and link to source: David Reichel, ‘Regulating Political Incorporation of Immigrants – Naturalisation Rates in Europe’, ICMPD Working Paper No. 4, December 2012.