Which Countries Have Birthright Citizenship in 2024? [Full List & Explanation]

Birthright citizenship, also known as jus soli ("right of the soil"), is a legal principle that grants citizenship to anyone born in a country’s territory, regardless of the nationality or immigration status of their parents. While many assume this is a global norm, in reality, only a limited number of countries offer unconditional birthright citizenship.

In this post, we’ll break down:

What birthright citizenship is
The complete list of countries that offer it
Regional trends
How U.S. laws compare
Recent debates and changes

🌎 What Is Birthright Citizenship?

Birthright citizenship refers to a country’s policy of granting automatic citizenship to anyone born on its soil, with little to no consideration of the parents' nationality, residency, or legal status.

There are two main types of birthright citizenship:

Unrestricted Jus Soli – Citizenship is automatically granted to all children born in the country.
Restricted Jus Soli – Birthright applies only if at least one parent meets certain criteria (e.g., permanent resident, legal immigrant, etc.)

✅ Countries That Offer Unrestricted Birthright Citizenship (2024)

As of 2024, the following countries offer unconditional birthright citizenship:

Country	Region
United States	North America
Canada	North America
Mexico	North America
Argentina	South America
Brazil	South America
Chile	South America
Uruguay	South America
Venezuela	South America
Jamaica	Caribbean
Barbados	Caribbean
Trinidad and Tobago	Caribbean
Fiji	Oceania
Tuvalu	Oceania
Pakistan	Asia (with some exceptions)
Lesotho	Africa
Tanzania	Africa

🔍 Note: Some countries (like Pakistan or Venezuela) have seen legal debates or limitations, but technically still retain jus soli policies.

🌐 Countries That Do Not Offer Birthright Citizenship

Most of Europe, Asia, and Africa do not grant automatic citizenship by birth alone. These regions primarily use jus sanguinis ("right of blood")—meaning citizenship is passed down based on the nationality of one or both parents.

Examples:

United Kingdom: Birthright applies only if at least one parent is a citizen or legal resident.
Germany, France, Italy, Spain: All have restrictions based on parental status.
India: Ended unrestricted birthright citizenship in 2004.
Australia: Changed its laws in 1986 to restrict citizenship by birth.

🇺🇸 What About the United States?

The United States is one of the only developed countries that still offers unrestricted birthright citizenship. Under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution:

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States… are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.”

This includes:

Children of undocumented immigrants
Children born during tourist visits
Children of foreign students or workers

However, this policy has faced increasing political debate, with discussions about possible constitutional reinterpretation or legislative change—though no laws have passed to eliminate it.

📈 Why Is Birthright Citizenship Important?

Birthright citizenship has far-reaching impacts on:

Immigration patterns
Social services
Demographic trends
Legal identity and human rights

It is also a key component in debates around "anchor babies," citizenship tourism, and immigration reform, especially in the U.S. and Canada.

🔁 Recent Changes and Debates (2020–2024)

Several countries have tightened or reconsidered their citizenship laws in recent years:

Dominican Republic revoked jus soli in 2010 for children of undocumented immigrants.
India abolished unrestricted birthright citizenship in 2004.
Ireland ended automatic birthright citizenship via referendum in 2004.

Globally, there is a growing trend away from unconditional birthright citizenship, especially in developed countries.

📝 Conclusion: Which Countries Still Have Birthright Citizenship?

In 2024, fewer than 30 countries offer unrestricted birthright citizenship, with most located in the Americas. The United States remains a leading example, though the policy continues to be a topic of intense political discussion.

If you're wondering where birth on soil guarantees citizenship, your best bets are still in North and South America, plus select countries in the Caribbean and Oceania.

📌 Key Takeaways

Only about 20–25 countries still have unrestricted jus soli.
The U.S. and Canada are the most notable among developed countries.
Most European and Asian countries require one or both parents to be citizens or legal residents.
The trend globally is moving away from automatic citizenship by birth.