International 13 November 2026
India Ranks First in OECD Report: 9.25 Lakh Indians Acquired Foreign Citizenship in Five Years
Why in the News?
According to the latest **'International Migration Outlook-2026'** report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), approximately **9.25 lakh Indians** acquired citizenship of OECD member countries between 2020 and 2024. With this, **India secured the first rank globally**, surpassing all other nations.
Key Features / Major Points:
- Key Findings & Growth Rate:
- Released on November 12, 2026, the report highlights a roughly **41% increase** in the number of Indians acquiring foreign citizenship compared to the preceding five-year period (when around 6.5 lakh Indians gained citizenship between 2015–2019).
- Global Comparison & Rankings:
- Following India, **Mexico** and **Syria** ranked second and third respectively, with approximately 5.9 lakh citizens each acquiring OECD nationalities during the 2020–2024 window.
- Across all 38 OECD member nations (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea), roughly 8.7 million people were granted citizenship, of which **Indians accounted for nearly 10%**.
- Canada as the Top Destination:
- Canada emerged as the premier destination, granting citizenship to about **2.61 lakh Indians** between 2020 and 2024—a 150% surge over the previous block.
- In 2024 alone, citizenship grants stood at: Canada (87,320), USA (48,820), Australia (28,969), UK (24,888), and New Zealand (5,778).
- New Migrant Inflows:
- Although the inflow of new Indian immigrants arriving in OECD nations dropped by about 19% in 2024 (falling from 6.07 lakh in 2023 to 4.94 lakh in 2024), India remained the single largest source country for new migration.
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Static GK Facts:
- OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development):
- Established: **1961** | Headquarters: **Paris, France**.
- Member Countries: **38** major developed economies.
- Secretary-General: **Mathias Cormann**.
- Demographic Trends:
- The share of immigrants in the total population of OECD countries rose from 9.2% in 2015 to **12% in 2025**.
One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):
Q: According to the OECD International Migration Outlook 2026, how many Indians acquired foreign citizenship between 2020 and 2024?
A: Approximately 9.25 lakh
Q: Which country ranks first globally in acquiring citizenship of OECD member states during 2020–2024?
A: India
Q: Which OECD nation granted citizenship to the highest number of Indian nationals during this five-year span?
A: Canada (approx. 2.61 lakh)
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