In a world marked by increasing mobility and the pursuit of better opportunities, Indians have been leading the way in securing citizenship in prosperous nations. According to the recent findings from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), nearly 1.3 lakh Indians acquired citizenship in OECD member countries in 2021. The data is a testament to the Indian diaspora’s ambition and the attractiveness of these developed nations.

Leading the Pack: United States, Australia, and Canada

The United States emerged as the most favoured destination for Indian immigrants in 2021, granting citizenship to a staggering 56,000 individuals. Australia came in second place, welcoming 24,000 new citizens from India, while Canada wasn’t far behind, granting citizenship to 21,000 Indian immigrants.

Despite the strained relations between India and Canada at the time, the North American nation continued to draw a substantial number of Indian immigrants. This statistic highlights the resilience and adaptability of the Indian community, who managed to secure citizenship in a nation with which their homeland had a complicated diplomatic relationship.

A Growing Trend

India’s ties with Canada may have experienced some turbulence, but the broader trend is clear: more and more Indians are seeking opportunities in developed nations. In 2021, almost 4 lakh Indians made the move to OECD member countries, as reported by The Times of India.

The OECD’s International Migration Outlook for 2023, released in Paris on October 23, brought additional insights. Canada witnessed the most significant surge in accepting migrants, recording a remarkable 174 percent increase between 2021 and 2022. This highlights the eagerness of the Canadian government to attract international talent and expertise.

An International Snapshot

The year 2022 marked a milestone, with the highest number of foreign nationals obtaining OECD country citizenships, totalling 28 lakh. This figure represented a 25 percent increase from the previous year. The report didn’t provide a detailed breakdown of the data by country, but one fact remains crystal clear: Indians have consistently topped the list in acquiring OECD country citizenships since 2019.

India’s Role in the Global Landscape

While India dominates the list, it’s important to note that other nations are also seeking opportunities in OECD countries. Approximately 57,000 Chinese nationals acquired OECD citizenships, securing the fifth position on the immigrants’ list. This highlights that the desire for global mobility and a better quality of life is not limited to one nationality.

Understanding the OECD

Established in 1961, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental institution. It currently comprises 38 member countries, all committed to stimulating economic progress and world trade. Headquartered in France, the OECD is composed of wealthy nations that rank highly in the human development index and are often referred to as “developed countries.” Collectively, these countries have a population of around 1.38 billion.

The upward trend of Indian immigrants acquiring citizenship in wealthy OECD countries underscores the ambition, adaptability, and resilience of the Indian diaspora. While relations between countries may ebb and flow, the pursuit of better opportunities and a brighter future knows no boundaries, and this trend is unlikely to slow down in the years to come.