Contextual push/pull factors and their influence on naturalization: A longitudinal analysis comparing Sweden and Norway

Immigrants’ failure to socially as well as economically integrate into their new home country represents a major challenge for policy makers in several European countries. One mechanism which has been argued to improve integration is represented by the acquisition of the host country citizenship. Whereas some studies indeed have found naturalization to be causally linked to improved labor market outcomes, positive selection into citizenship typically appears to be driving the association.

This paper focuses on the determinants of transitioning into the host country citizenship, focusing on contextual factors relating to the individual’s country of origin as well as their country of destination. More specifically, we examine the importance of origin and destination country legislation regarding the ability of the individual to possess dual citizenship, as well as changes therein over time. Furthermore, we investigate the relevance of social and political freedom as well as differences between countries’ level of economic development in affecting an immigrant’s propensity to naturalize into their new home country.

The paper assumes a comparative perspective, using longitudinal individual level data for immigrant men and women in Sweden and Norway, representing a time period extending well over a decade. In and international perspective, naturalization rates in both Sweden and Norway are high although strong differences in naturalization regime. We expect that individuals who originate from countries at lower levels of economic development as well as less social and political freedom should positively influence the propensity for naturalization, controlling for a range of socioeconomic characteristics.