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15 countries that lead in giving citizenship

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 12:47 IST
The evening sun illuminates Schoenbrunn palace in Vienna.

There are many countries that have restrictive immigration policies, while some have a welcoming policy.

Here we take a look at some countries that have given most citizenships between 2001 and 2010 in the world, according to an Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development report.

Source: The Economist

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15 countries that lead in giving citizenship

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 12:47 IST
A view of the downtown area in Los Angeles.

The United States

Naturalisations (2001-2010): 6.6 million

Foreign-born population of total (2010): 13 per cent

Global rank: 1

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15 countries that lead in giving citizenship

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 12:47 IST
A view of Moscow's Kremlin, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Moscow City Business District.

Russia

Naturalisations (2001-2010): 3.1 million

Foreign-born population of total (2010): N/A

Global rank: 2

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15 countries that lead in giving citizenship

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 12:47 IST
People play volleyball on the front lawn of Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Canada

Naturalisations (2001-2010): 1.7 million

Foreign-born population of total (2010): 20 per cent

Global rank: 3

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15 countries that lead in giving citizenship

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 12:47 IST
Traffic on the road and the Thames passes the Houses of Parliament in London.

Britain

Naturalisations (2001-2010): 1.5 million

Foreign-born population of total (2010): 12 per cent

Global rank: 4

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15 countries that lead in giving citizenship

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 12:47 IST
View of rooftops and the Montmartre's Sacre Coeur Basilica in Paris.

France

Naturalisations (2001-2010): 1.4 million

Foreign-born population of total (2010): 9 per cent

Global rank: 5

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15 countries that lead in giving citizenship

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 12:47 IST
The skyline of Frankfurt with its bank towers is seen under clouds.

Germany

Naturalisations (2001-2010): 1.3 million

Foreign-born population of total (2010): 13 per cent

Global rank: 6

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15 countries that lead in giving citizenship

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 12:47 IST
Rowers train at dawn on the Yarra River in Melbourne.

Australia

Naturalisations (2001-2010): 1 million

Foreign-born population of total (2010): 27 per cent

Global rank: 7

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15 countries that lead in giving citizenship

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 12:47 IST
The lights system of the new Agbar Tower is tested in Barcelona.

Spain

Naturalisations (2001-2010): 0.6 million

Foreign-born population of total (2010): 15 per cent

Global rank: 8

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15 countries that lead in giving citizenship

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 12:47 IST
People walk on Zurich's main shopping street Bahnhofstrasse.

Switzerland

Naturalisations (2001-2010): 0.4 million

Foreign-born population of total (2010): 27 per cent

Global rank: 9

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15 countries that lead in giving citizenship

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 12:47 IST
View of the Turning Torso in the western harbour area of Malmo.

Sweden

Naturalisations (2001-2010): 0.2 million

Foreign-born population of total (2010): 15 per cent

Global rank: 10

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15 countries that lead in giving citizenship

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 12:47 IST
Two women ride their bicycles on the Lindengracht in Amsterdam.

The Netherlands

Naturalisations (2001-2010): 0.2 million

Foreign-born population of total (2010): 11 per cent

Global rank: 11

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15 countries that lead in giving citizenship

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 12:47 IST
Trams travel in downtown Milan.

Italy

Naturalisations (2001-2010): 0.2 million

Foreign-born population of total (2010): 8 per cent

Global rank: 12

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15 countries that lead in giving citizenship

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 12:47 IST
People cross a street after rainfall in central Auckland.

New Zealand

Naturalisations (2001-2010): 0.1 million

Foreign-born population of total (2010): 23 per cent

Global rank: 13

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15 countries that lead in giving citizenship

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 12:47 IST
Japan's Mt Fuji, covered with snow, is seen through Shinjuku skyscrapers in Tokyo.

Japan

Naturalisations (2001-2010): 0.1 million

Foreign-born population of total (2010): 2 per cent

Global rank: 14

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15 countries that lead in giving citizenship

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 12:47 IST
A woman reads a book beside a bronze statue in front of Sejong Centre for the Performing Arts in central Seoul.

South Korea

Naturalisations (2001-2010): 0.1 million

Foreign-born population of total (2010): 2 per cent

Global rank: 15