This phenomenon stems from the fact that India does not allow for dual citizenship, thereby necessitating that those who attain citizenship in another country must forego their Indian passport
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, a notable trend has emerged within India’s demographic landscape – a substantial number of Indian citizens are voluntarily renouncing their Indian citizenship. As reported by the Financial Express, it is projected that over 500,000 Indians will have forsaken their citizenship by the close of 2023 due to a variety of factors and motivations.
According to data compiled by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), spanning from 2011 to June 2023, a cumulative total of 1.75 million (or 10.75 lakh) Indians have made the voluntary decision to surrender their passports. A noteworthy surge was observed in 2022, with 225,620 Indians opting for foreign citizenship, marking the highest number of such instances within a single year. This phenomenon stems from the fact that India does not allow for dual citizenship, thereby necessitating that those who attain citizenship in another country must forego their Indian passport.
The statistical breakdown of these figures reveals the progression of this trend over the years. In 2019, 144,017 Indians chose to renounce their citizenship, a number that significantly escalated to a record-breaking 225,620 in 2022. Furthermore, as of June 2023, nearly 87,026 individuals have already surrendered their Indian passports. Importantly, the MEA shared with the parliament that there are currently around 13 million (or 1.3 crore) Indians residing abroad.
This trend of Indians opting for foreign citizenship is widely dispersed across a vast array of countries. From destinations as diverse as Antigua & Barbuda, Brazil, Iceland, Vatican City to more prominent nations like the US, UK, France, and Germany, Indians are relinquishing their citizenship to immigrate to a staggering 135 countries globally. Notably, the top three countries that have attracted the most individuals are Australia (16,125), Canada (17,993), and the USA (28,230), constituting a total of 87,026 Indians relocating until June 2023.
This surge in individuals leaving India for foreign shores is not solely driven by a quest for citizenship but also by opportunities for employment. In 2021, a substantial 833,880 Indians left for foreign countries in search of employment, a number that significantly increased to 2,344,860 in 2022. Over the past years, the following numbers of Indians have chosen to renounce their Indian citizenship:
122,819 (in 2011)
120,923 (in 2012)
131,405 (in 2013)
129,328 (in 2014)
131,489 (in 2015)
141,603 (in 2016)
133,049 (in 2017)
134,561 (in 2018)
144,017 (in 2019)
85,256 (in 2020)
163,370 (in 2021)
225,620 (in 2022)
87,026 (until June 2023)
This shift in demographics holds implications for India’s socio-economic landscape. As of 2019, India boasted 263,000 High Net Worth Individuals, securing the 12th rank worldwide. Interestingly, the interest in investment migration displayed by Indian nationals surged by 63% between December 2019 and December 2020. Traditionally, investment migration endeavors were concentrated in countries like Australia, Canada, the UAE, the UK, and the USA. However, there is now a growing interest in residence-by-investment programs in Europe.
According to insights from Henley & Partners, a driving factor behind this trend is the desire among investors to secure alternative residence or citizenship options as a means of mitigating sovereign risk. While India is undoubtedly dynamic in terms of business opportunities and commercial growth with high-yielding investments, it appears to be less attractive from the standpoint of wealth preservation.
In the past two decades, there has been a notable surge in Indian nationals seeking opportunities on the global stage. The Indian government suggests that many of these individuals have opted for foreign citizenship due to personal convenience and various other motivations. This phenomenon underscores the changing dynamics of Indian diaspora and global mobility patterns.
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