A total of 6,261 foreign born individuals were granted Icelandic citizenship in the years 2008-2018, according to newly released data from the Ministry of the Interior. 72% were 18 years or older, making them eligible voters. Figures on the number of foreign individuals who are granted Icelandic and are of voting age, have not been publicly available.
The figures were released after an inquiry from an MP from the Left-Green Movement, Andrés Ingi Jónsson. Andrés told the National Broadcasting Service RÚV, that it is important to do more to integrate those who receive Icelandic citizenship fully into Icelandic society, and informing them of their rights as Icelandic citizens. Especially their rights as voters.
We are not talking about very large numbers who receive Icelandic citizenship each year, and it should be relatively easy to do this job extremely well.
Andrés stressed that it was important to embrace new citizens and welcome them into Icelandic society. Studies have shown that when compared to other OECD countries, Iceland is among the most welcoming toward immigrants and guest workers.
Read more: Icelanders view foreign workers and migrant labourers more positively than most other nations
| Year | Number of new citizens |
| 2008 | 914 |
| 2009 | 728 |
| 2010 | 450 |
| 2011 | 370 |
| 2012 | 413 |
| 2013 | 597 |
| 2014 | 595 |
| 2015 | 801 |
| 2016 | 703 |
| 2017 | 690 |
Total over 10 year period: 6.261
A total of 6,261 foreign born individuals were granted Icelandic citizenship in the years 2008-2018, according to newly released data from the Ministry of the Interior. 72% were 18 years or older, making them eligible voters. Figures on the number of foreign individuals who are granted Icelandic and are of voting age, have not been publicly available.
The figures were released after an inquiry from an MP from the Left-Green Movement, Andrés Ingi Jónsson. Andrés told the National Broadcasting Service RÚV, that it is important to do more to integrate those who receive Icelandic citizenship fully into Icelandic society, and informing them of their rights as Icelandic citizens. Especially their rights as voters.
We are not talking about very large numbers who receive Icelandic citizenship each year, and it should be relatively easy to do this job extremely well.
Andrés stressed that it was important to embrace new citizens and welcome them into Icelandic society. Studies have shown that when compared to other OECD countries, Iceland is among the most welcoming toward immigrants and guest workers.
Read more: Icelanders view foreign workers and migrant labourers more positively than most other nations
| Year | Number of new citizens |
| 2008 | 914 |
| 2009 | 728 |
| 2010 | 450 |
| 2011 | 370 |
| 2012 | 413 |
| 2013 | 597 |
| 2014 | 595 |
| 2015 | 801 |
| 2016 | 703 |
| 2017 | 690 |
Total over 10 year period: 6.261
