nativeborn

Nativeborn, often written as native-born, is an adjective used to describe a person who was born in a particular country or locality. The term is commonly used to distinguish individuals born domestically from those born abroad or who have obtained citizenship through naturalization. In legal and demographic contexts, nativeborn status can have implications for citizenship, rights, and political eligibility, depending on the jurisdiction.

In citizenship law, the distinction between nativeborn and other statuses frequently intersects with two concepts: jus soli (birth within a country’s territory) and jus sanguinis (citizenship by descent). In jurisdictions that operate on jus soli, nativeborn individuals are typically citizens by birth. In others that rely on jus sanguinis, being nativeborn does not automatically confer citizenship; citizenship may pass through parents. Some countries apply a mixed approach, granting birthright citizenship only under certain conditions, such as parental residency or legal status.

The term is widely used in statistics and policy discussions to differentiate nativeborn residents from foreign-born residents. It can influence eligibility for certain programs and rights, and in some legal traditions, it relates to constitutional provisions about who is eligible for office. For example, in the United States, the phrase natural-born citizen in the Constitution has been the subject of interpretation regarding whether it encompasses all nativeborn individuals or also those born abroad to citizen parents.

See also: natural-born citizen, jus soli, birthright citizenship, jus sanguinis, foreign-born, naturalized.