Over 237,000 Moroccans Acquire Spanish Citizenship in Six Years

More than 237,000 Moroccan nationals obtained Spanish citizenship between 2018 and 2023, making them the largest group of naturalized citizens, according to data from the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration.

However, figures from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) indicate that the number is slightly higher, standing at 246,000 for the same period.

According to the INE, in 2023 alone, 54,027 Moroccans acquired Spanish nationality, representing 22.5 percent of all naturalizations granted that year. Among the total number of people who received Spanish citizenship, 53 percent were men, with an average age of 19 years.

Moroccan Community in Spain Exceeds One Million, Largest Foreign Group

A report by Atalayar highlights that the Moroccan community is the only foreign group in Spain with a population exceeding one million, with an average age of 34 years. This influx of immigrants, along with those from other countries, has contributed to Spain reaching a record population of over 49 million as of January 1, 2025.

Spain’s foreign-born population now totals over 9.38 million, with approximately 2.6 million acquiring Spanish nationality in recent years.

Countries with the Most Naturalized Citizens in 2023

According to INE, in 2023, apart from Moroccans, the largest groups of foreign nationals who obtained Spanish citizenship were:

• Colombians – 8 percent

• Venezuelans – 6 percent

The INE further reports that in 2023, a total of 212,799 people became Spanish citizens through residency, while an additional 26,844 acquired nationality by option. Among those who obtained citizenship through the option method, 95.7 percent were under 20 years old.

Spain’s Population Decline and the Role of Immigration

Spanish media reports indicate that the country faces a significant demographic challenge, as its birth rate has fallen to just 1.16 children per woman, far below the replacement level of 2.1. This demographic issue has made immigration and naturalization increasingly important not only for Spain but also for other European countries facing similar population declines.

Moroccan Population Distribution Across Spain

According to statistics from INE, the more than 1.1 million Moroccans residing in Spain outnumber the total populations of some provinces, such as La Coruña and Vizcaya.

As of January 1, 2024, the Moroccan population is distributed across Spain’s autonomous communities as follows:

• Catalonia – 250,730

• Andalusia – 171,698

• Region of Murcia – 98,581

• Valencian Community – 91,375

• Community of Madrid – 87,609

• Castilla-La Mancha – 42,477

• Balearic Islands – 31,095

• Basque Country – 28,662

Further figures from the INE show that, as of January 1, 2024, the Moroccan population in other regions includes:

• Castilla y León – 25,719

• Aragon – 23,480

• Canary Islands – 19,474

• Foral Community of Navarra – 17,536

• Melilla – 11,702

• Galicia – 9,399

• La Rioja – 9,332

• Extremadura – 7,666

• Ceuta – 4,554

• Principality of Asturias – 3,249

• Cantabria – 2,332

As Spain continues to grapple with demographic changes, immigration remains a crucial factor in shaping the country’s future.

By fLEXI tEAM