The study from the Ifo Institute and the University of Passau indicates that naturalisation by birth reduces juvenile crime among youths with a migrant background. Researchers found that second‑ and third‑generation adolescents who were German citizens from birth were about 70 % less likely to be listed by police as suspects compared with peers who had not yet received a German passport. The decline is mainly driven by lower rates of property and drug offences.
The research focuses on the 2000 reform of German nationality law, which introduced the principle of “birthright citizenship” for children of foreign parents. Since 2000, children born in Germany to non‑German parents automatically receive German nationality if at least one parent has lived in Germany for eight years and holds a residence permit. Before this reform, only children with at least one German parent could acquire citizenship at birth.
Using police crime statistics from Baden-Württemberg, Hessen and Berlin, the study shows that the reform has had a measurable impact on youths’ legal status. Granting citizenship at birth is seen as a preventive measure that can influence identity formation, build social trust, and improve prospects for education, employment and political participation. Other studies corroborate these findings: children of migrant origin have shown higher academic performance following the citizenship reform, which in turn reduces the likelihood of criminal involvement.