World · South & Central Asia · 2 hrs ago
925,000 Indians acquired citizenship in OECD countries from 2020 to 2024
About 925,000 Indians acquired OECD-country citizenships between 2020 and 2024, according to the OECD’s 2026 migration report.
That was a 41% increase from the previous five-year period, when just over 650,000 Indians became citizens of OECD countries.
The OECD has 38 members, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and South Korea.
India was the largest country of former nationality among people gaining citizenship, ahead of Syria and Mexico, whose nationals each accounted for about 590,000 cases.
In 2024, Canada, the United States and Australia were the main destinations for Indians gaining citizenship, with Canada recording the most.
Citizenship figures show how migration can lead to lasting settlement, while the number of Indians moving to OECD countries fell from 610,000 in 2023 to 490,000 in 2024.
About 925,000 Indian citizens acquired citizenship in OECD member countries between 2020 and 2024, according to an OECD report.
Indians were the largest group by former nationality, ahead of Syrians and Mexicans.
The total was 41% higher than the number of Indians who acquired OECD-country citizenships between 2015 and 2019.
OECD countries granted nearly 8.7 million citizenships in 2020-2024, with Indians making up around 10%.
In 2024, 230,000 Indians acquired OECD-country citizenships, mainly in Canada, the United States and Australia.
- Who
- Around 925,000 Indian citizens acquired citizenship in OECD member countries.
- What
- They acquired the nationality of OECD member countries between 2020 and 2024.
- When
- 2020 to 2024.
- Where
- OECD member countries.
- Why
- Not stated. The figures were reported in the OECD's International Migration Outlook 2026.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Just over 650,000 Indians acquired citizenship in OECD member countries.
Around 925,000 Indians acquired citizenship in OECD member countries.
Nearly 220,000 Indians acquired OECD-country citizenships.
Around 230,000 Indians acquired OECD-country citizenships, mainly in Canada, the United States and Australia.
- Indian citizenship acquisitions
- Around 925,000 in OECD countries, 2020-2024
- Increase
- 41% compared with 2015-2019
- OECD citizenships granted
- Nearly 8.7 million, 2020-2024
- Indian share
- Around 10% of OECD citizenships granted, 2020-2024
- Canada
- 87,320 Indian citizenship acquisitions in 2024
- United States
- 48,820 Indian citizenship acquisitions in 2024
What people are saying
Migration remains high, and immigrants now account for 16% of employment across the OECD
With ageing populations and slower productivity growth, countries cannot afford to waste the skills migrants bring.