Germanyâs Stateless Population Drops as Naturalization Offers Hope in 2024
The majority of recognized stateless individuals in Germany were born outside the country. Out of 28,800 people, 23,900 came from abroad, while 4,900 were German-born. Syria accounted for the largest share of foreign-born stateless individuals at 47%, followed by Lebanon (7%) and Israel (4%).
Over half (57%) of recognized stateless people were male, and nearly a quarter (24%) were children or teenagers under 18. The proportion of German-born stateless individuals has also risen, reaching 17.1% in 2024 compared to 15.2% in 2018.
In addition to recognized statelessness, Germany recorded 92,900 people with undetermined nationality by the end of 2024âa decline from the previous year. Of these, 35% were born in Germany, and 41% were under 18. Men made up 58% of this group. While official data does not specify the main countries of origin, cases linked to Afghanistan and Kazakhstan suggest these nations are significant in such situations.
The overall number of stateless individuals in Germany has fallen slightly, though naturalisation remains a key solution. With 4,100 people gaining citizenship in 2024, the trend highlights efforts to address statelessness. However, thousands still live without a determined nationality, including a large proportion of children and young people.
