Nearly 9 Lakh Indians Gave Up Citizenship in Five Years
The Union government has informed Parliament that close to nine lakh Indians renounced their citizenship over the last five years, reflecting a steady rise in the number of people opting for foreign nationality. The data was shared by the Ministry of External Affairs in response to a parliamentary question, covering the period from 2019 to 2023.
Year-Wise Citizenship Renunciation Data
According to the figures presented, 1.44 lakh Indians gave up their citizenship in 2019. This number declined to about 85,000 in 2020, largely due to global travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The trend reversed sharply in the following years, with 1.63 lakh renunciations in 2021 and a peak of over 2.25 lakh in 2022. In 2023, around 2.16 lakh Indians surrendered their citizenship, keeping the overall five-year total close to nine lakh.
Government Stand and Broader Context
The government clarified that it does not maintain data on the specific reasons why individuals renounce Indian citizenship. Officials stated that such decisions are personal and often linked to employment opportunities, education, family settlement abroad, or long-term residence in another country. The Ministry also noted that Indians living overseas continue to contribute to India’s global presence through economic, cultural, and professional engagement, even after acquiring foreign citizenship.
The figures underline a long-standing trend of outward migration among Indians seeking global mobility and opportunities.
