Countries That Prohibit Dual Citizenship Revealed in New Map

Feature and Cover Countries That Prohibit Dual Citizenship Revealed in New Map

Data mapped by Newsweek reveals that at least 39 countries around the world do not allow dual citizenship, highlighting diverse global perspectives on nationality and identity.

A recent survey by the Harris Poll found that 42 percent of U.S. adults have considered or plan to move abroad to improve their lifestyle or financial situation. The percentage increases among younger generations, with 63 percent of Gen Z and 52 percent of millennials expressing similar sentiments.

According to Henley & Partners, a U.K.-based investment migration consultancy, many countries restrict dual citizenship to preserve national identity, ensure loyalty, and avoid complex legal scenarios. The consultancy identified several nations that do not permit individuals to hold more than one nationality.

In Africa, countries like Botswana, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Guinea, Libya, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, and the Republic of Congo prohibit dual citizenship. Meanwhile, in the Americas, Cuba and Suriname uphold similar rules. European countries with this restriction include Andorra, Estonia, Monaco, and San Marino.

Asian nations with bans on dual citizenship encompass a wide range, from Azerbaijan, Bhutan, and Brunei to China, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Uzbekistan. Each country has specific reasons for maintaining these restrictions, often revolving around issues like divided allegiance and potential security threats, such as military conflicts or espionage. Legal complexities related to taxation and rights, along with fears that dual nationality might undermine cultural or political cohesion, also play a role in these decisions.

For example, China completely bans dual citizenship, emphasizing the need for loyalty to safeguard national unity. India also prohibits dual nationality to maintain legal and administrative clarity but provides an alternative through the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status. This status offers limited rights without granting full citizenship. Singapore enforces a strict one-citizenship policy, underlining national allegiance and requiring proof of renunciation of other citizenships before granting naturalization.

Tim Osiecki, the director of thought leadership and trends at The Harris Poll, noted a shift in the American Dream. “For most of modern history, the American Dream was rooted in one place: America. But that’s shifting,” he previously told Newsweek. According to Osiecki, dual citizenship is increasingly becoming a goal for middle-class Americans who seek greater control over their future in an uncertain world, marking a mindset shift from a singular national allegiance to adaptability.

Osiecki also pointed out that while the intent to move abroad among younger Americans is significant, it is not indicative of a mass migration. “This isn’t about a mass migration overnight, but we are at a tipping point,” he said. “One in five younger Americans say they’re seriously considering moving abroad, and that kind of intent matters.” He emphasizes that although it is not yet an exodus, it signals a changing perception of life in the United States.

The notion of the American Dream might not be fading; it could simply be evolving to accommodate the growing desire for mobility and flexibility in an increasingly interconnected world.

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