The present report contains an overview of the global rates of birth registration, a universal human right recognized in a number of international instruments. It considers the consequences and impact of non-registration on human rights, particularly since the right to be registered at birth is closely linked to the realization of many other rights, such as the right to health and the right to education. It also analyses the barriers to access to birth registration, provides examples of good practices and makes a number of recommendations to ensure the universal implementation of this right.