also called renouncing citizenship · expatriation
Formally giving up your citizenship, usually to shed its obligations or because a country forbids dual nationality.
Formally handing back your citizenship, usually to shed the duties that come with it or because a new country will not let you hold two. It is a deliberate legal act, and it is permanent. For Americans it can trigger an exit tax on the way out; the exit tax is a possible consequence of renouncing, not the renouncing itself.
An American tired of filing US taxes every year while living abroad decides to renounce. Before it is done, they learn the exit can trigger a tax on their assets as they leave, and that once the passport is surrendered there is no changing their mind.
Americans often renounce to escape citizenship-based taxation, but it can trigger an exit tax and is irreversible.
The difference is the whole point, so here is each one in a line.
Loss of citizenship is the broad event of no longer holding one, whether by government action, taking another where dual is barred, or your own choice.
Renunciation is that deliberate choice, formally giving it up to shed its obligations, and statelessness is the danger at the end of the road: being recognised as a citizen by no country at all.
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