Rabat – Moroccans made up the largest group of new European Union citizens in 2022, according to a report from Eurostat.
The report details that 112,700 Moroccans acquired EU citizenship, followed by Syrian nationals who totaled 90,400. Albania landed in third place with 50,300 Albanians granted citizenship.
Italy was the main issuer of EU citizenships in 2022, the report explains, detailing that the country was behind 22% of citizenship status the 27-nation block granted. The country granted 213,700 individuals citizenship.
Spain came in second position, issuing 18% of new citizenships in the union, equivalent to 181,800 new citizens, followed by Germany with a 17% share and 166, 600 new citizens.
The report further explains that the largest increases in citizenships granted to non-national residents in 2022, when compared with 2021, were recorded in Italy with an additional 92,200, followed by Spain with an additional 37,600, and Germany with an additional 36,600.
Meanwhile, the largest yearly decrease in the volume of citizenship was recorded in France. The country issued 15,900 less citizenship status in 2022. Likewise, the Netherlands issued 9,300 less, and Portugal 3,700 less.
Eurostat data indicated that 87% of all citizenships were granted to individuals from non-EU countries. Citizens of another EU country than the country of residence accounted for 12%. The remaining were either unknown previous citizenship at 1% or were stateless at 0.7%.
Many observers speculate that immigration could solve the EU’s declining population crisis. While immigration has emerged in recent years as a platform for right-wing politics in Europe, the block is facing the prospect of a severe population deficit in the next 80 years.
Research shows that the continent will have 27.3 million fewer people by 2100. In particular, experts have warned that the shrinking demography will have serious consequences on the unions’ economy.
Some EU countries are already bearing the brunt of the decline in population, with Germany, the block’s manufacturing powerhouse, struggling to find workers.
Read Also: Moroccans Among Main Recipients of EU Member State Citizenship in 2021
