Stateless persons around the world

Millions of people around the world are denied the basic rights and protections of citizenship. According to UNHCR, by the end of 2023, there were 4,4 million stateless and of undetermined nationality. However, this figure is likely much lower than the actual number due to difficulties in data collection and the fact that stateless persons often go unnoticed in national statistical surveys.

Stateless persons who are not recognized as nationals of any country are deprived of rights and access to basic services, making them politically and economically marginalized and vulnerable to discrimination and exploitation, according to UNHCR.

Reasons for statelessness can include:

1. Gender-based parentage laws: In some countries, only fathers can confer citizenship on children. If the father is unknown, unwilling or unable to take the necessary administrative steps, the child may remain stateless.
2. Discriminatory citizenship laws: Laws based on race and ethnicity can deny citizenship to many minority groups.
3. Changing borders: Border changes caused by annexation or independence movements may leave some groups stateless.
4. Revoking citizenship: States may deprive citizenship of those who have been living outside the country for a long time or for prejudicial and punitive reasons.