Released today, the first edition of the ‘Global State of Citizenship’ report draws on data covering citizenship laws in 191 countries in 2024. The report highlights how diverging national laws, often rooted in discrimination or outdated norms, continue to shape the lives of millions around the world.
Among the key findings is that discrimination in citizenship law based on sex, gender, or sexual orientation, though increasingly exceptional, remains pervasive in parts of the world. Over the past century, many countries have reformed their laws, yet 50 out of 191 still maintain discriminatory nationality provisions. Most of these are in Asia (especially the Middle East) and North Africa.
The report also shows how immigrants face highly unequal pathways to citizenship. Most can only obtain the citizenship of their new country by applying to be recognised as citizens after living in the country for a certain amount of time, a process also known as ‘ordinary naturalisation’. While the Americas and Western Europe provide relatively inclusive naturalisation procedures, immigrants in many Asian, Central and Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and Oceanic states face long waits, complex language and integration tests, or no path to naturalisation at all. In 13 countries, citizenship remains unavailable.
Meanwhile, what is often viewed as the most secure status one can obtain, and a guarantee that a person can always come back to their country of origin, is becoming increasingly fragile. The report finds that two-thirds of countries, including many European states, now retain legal provisions allowing for citizenship revocation on national security or disloyalty grounds. This trend comes amidst a growing number of armed conflicts and incidence of terrorism globally. Most of the provisions for stripping citizenship target persons who have naturalised, and not those who have been born as citizens, often violating international legal norms and exposing individuals to the risk of statelessness.
"Citizenship is the legal foundation for belonging and rights in modern society," said Maarten Vink, co-author of the report and Chair in Citizenship Studies at the EUI. "Yet across the world, many still face discrimination, exclusion, or insecurity in their citizenship status. Our report aims to inform reforms that can ensure citizenship laws uphold human dignity and equality."
In addition to these core themes, the report also charts broader global trends, including the slow but steady rise of dual citizenship acceptance, which now stands at 51% of countries, up from just 6% in 1960.
Published by GLOBALCIT at the Robert Schuman Centre of EUI, the Global State of Citizenship Report seeks to provide an evidence base for policymakers, researchers, and advocates working to create fairer and more inclusive citizenship regimes worldwide.
About GLOBALCIT
The Global Citizenship Observatory (GLOBALCIT) is the world’s leading research network on citizenship and electoral rights. Based at the European University Institute, GLOBALCIT publishes datasets, indicators, and analyses to inform global debates and policy development on citizenship and belonging.