who are also considered at risk of statelessness according to the new iteration of the methodology, has risen in comparison with the prior two survey rounds. This means 2.9 percent of all individuals in the households sampled (9,218) are at risk of statelessness, as compared to the 3.9 percent in 2015. By region, the statistical regions of Belgrade and Southern Serbia are home to the greatest share of persons at risk of statelessness, the same as in previous rounds of the survey. The key drivers of risk of statelessness in these populations are lack of identity cards and permanent or temporary residence registration. The Survey has revealed a drop in the number of RAE individuals at risk of statelessness lacking birth registration relative to 2015. They now account for 0,45 percent of those surveyed, in contrast to the 1 percent seen in 2015. Ignorance of the procedure and absence of documents to substantiate registration (at 28 percent each) were the most commonly reported reasons for not being registered with the civil register of births. This finding indicates that more work ought to be done to raise awareness amongst persons at risk of statelessness about birth registration procedures and give them appropriate support to become registered. One-half of unregistered respondents who attempted to obtain registration reported not knowing why they were refused, and 38 percent claimed their applications had been refused orally and no formal decisions were issued. These examples are breaches of the principle of good governance and show the need for more training for civil servants who come into direct contact with persons at risk of statelessness to educate them about the specific characteristics of this group. The 2011 Law on Permanent and Temporary Residence has allowed RAE individuals living in unlegalized homes in informal settlements without legal basis for tenancy to register their local CSW as their permanent residence and subsequently obtain identity cards, which was in some cases the first time that some of these persons were able to do so. However, the Survey has shown that as many as 57 percent of those at risk of statelessness lack residence registration. This is the highest figure in the three rounds of the survey, and makes it apparent that greater efforts are needed to apply the law in practice. Persons who lack residence registration are more likely to be IDPs from Kosovo, which is not surprising given the issues they face when registering permanent residence. Inconsistent application of procedures by CSWs may also be behind the rising number of RAE individuals with no registered permanent residence. As such, more work must be done to sensitise civil servants in direct contact with persons at risk of statelessness and enhance institutional capacity. In spite of the progress with addressing issues faced by Roma at risk of statelessness revealed by this Survey, additional efforts are clearly needed to resolve the outstanding issues and provide assistance for the remaining population at risk and allow them to exercise their rights: • 56 Registration of children of undocumented mothers should be allowed immediately at birth. These children may remain at risk of statelessness indefinitely, as their parents may fail to register their birth or name, or obtain certificates of nationality for them. One option for doing so would be to amend the Regulation on the procedure for issuing notice of birth and content of notice of birth form for children PERSONS AT RISK OF STATELESSNESS IN SERBIA OVERVIEW OF CURRENT SITUATION AND THE WAY FORWARD