Table Of Content“Alan Gelb and Anna Diofasi Metz have done a remarkable job of studying recent G
advances in the sophistication of ID systems across the globe. They offer a unique el Identification
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lens on what is possible, what has been done, and more importantly, why it was a
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specially since they capture the context in which those decisions were taken.” D Revolution
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Cofounder and Non-Executive Chairman, Infosys; Founding Chairman, s
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Unique Identification Authority of India; Cofounder and Chairman, EkStep Foundation M
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“It is no exaggeration that there is an Identification Revolution and it is important FOR DEVELOPMENT?
and moving rapidly. [This book’s] masterful presentation brings the reader up to
date, analyzing the potential benefits and pitfalls of biometric ID. This is a must
read for all those interested in economic development and the potential that the
ID Revolution offers.” I
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Anne O. Krueger
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Senior Research Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies;
Senior Fellow, Stanford Center for International Development n
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“Digital ID is fast becoming an essential tool for twenty-first century development.
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This book spells out in fascinating detail the opportunities and challenges, the i
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perils and pitfalls of this digital ID revolution.”
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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
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Board Chair, GAVI; former Finance Minister, Nigeria; former Managing Director, i
World Bank o
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“This is a must-have manual for anyone interested in the important topic of
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identification systems as drivers of social and economic development.…
I expect it will remain a top reference in this field for many years to come.” e
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Joseph Atick
Executive Chairman, ID4Africa; Executive Chairman, Identity Counsel International o
l
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“Anyone interested in the current transformation of identification and registration
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systems underway internationally—students, researchers, policymakers or i
implementers—should begin with this book.” o
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Keith Breckenridge
Professor and Deputy Director, Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research
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millennium CE.” te
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IR-CVR-FRONT-BACK-final-R1a.indd 1 12/4/17 7:15 AM
Praise for
Identification Revolution:
Can Digital ID Be Harnessed for Development?
“Alan Gelb and Anna Diofasi Metz have done a remarkable job of studying
recent advances in the sophistication of ID systems across the globe. They offer
a unique lens on what is possible, what has been done, and more importantly,
why it was done. This kind of a critical look at the design choices of an ID
system is illuminating especially since they capture the context in which those
decisions were taken. Legal identity to all is a development target in the SDGs,
and many other SDG goals will depend on it. Hence, the developing world
will need experts who understand the power and innovation capability of iden-
tity systems. With this book, Alan and Anna have shown their deep under-
standing of ID systems at a global level.”
Nandan Nilekani
Co-founder and Non-Executive Chairman, Infosys; Founding Chairman,
Unique Identification Authority of India;
Co-founder and Chairman, EkStep Foundation
“It is no exaggeration that there is an Identification Revolution and it is impor-
tant and moving rapidly. [This book’s] masterful presentation brings the reader
up to date, analyzing the potential benefits and pitfalls of biometric ID. This is
a must-read for all those interested in economic development and the potential
that the ID Revolution offers.”
Anne O. Krueger
Senior Research Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International
Studies; Senior Fellow, Stanford Center for International Development
“Digital ID is fast becoming an essential tool for twenty-first century develop-
ment. This book spells out in fascinating detail the opportunities and chal-
lenges, the perils and pitfalls of this digital ID revolution.”
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Board Chair, GAVI; former Finance Minister, Nigeria;
former Managing Director, World Bank
Gelb-Metz_Identification Revolution_ab_i-xvi_1-250.indd 1 11/29/17 2:09 PM
“This is a must-have manual for anyone interested in the important topic of
identification systems as drivers of social and economic development. The book
is written with exceptional depth and clarity compatible with the exceptional
status of its authors as individuals who have followed and have contributed
first hand to the advancement of our knowledge about the impact of identity
systems on society. The book not only presents the positive consequences of
identity schemes, but does a great job explaining some of their risks. The au-
thors outline ways for how to address these risks and for how to channel iden-
tity systems within responsible frameworks that respect human rights, enhance
gender equality, fight against discrimination, and protect privacy in various
contexts.
I found the book sober, thoughtful, and pragmatic in its recommendations
and thus [it] should be of great utility to practitioners from development agen-
cies as well as government identity authorities and policymakers.
It is a pleasure to finally see a comprehensive and timely account that has
staying power—one that I expect will remain a top reference in this field for
many years to come.”
Joseph Atick
Executive Chairman, ID4Africa; Executive
Chairman, Identity Counsel International
“Anyone interested in the current transformation of identification and registra-
tion systems underway internationally—students, researchers, policymakers or
implementers—should begin with this book.”
Keith Breckenridge
Professor and Deputy Director, Wits Institute
for Social and Economic Research
“Methods for identification have been fundamental for human groups and for
the scale of their political and economic activities throughout history. It is no
accident that the first industrial nation, England, innovated the first nationwide
identity registration system nearly 500 years ago. But ID systems can also be
abused, resulting in terrible consequences. Digital ID in the age of the internet
offers a transformative opportunity for citizens of the poorest states at last to
acquire their rights to recognition, but it is equally vital that they be protected
Gelb-Metz_Identification Revolution_ab_i-xvi_1-250.indd 2 11/29/17 2:09 PM
against potential abuses or exploitation of their economic vulnerabilities. Alan
Gelb and Anna Diofasi Metz are to be thanked for their timely intervention in
providing an authoritative review of this fast-changing field and its current best
practices in, for instance, Estonia and Peru. This excellent book affords invalu-
able practical guidance for states and governments hoping to reap development
gains while avoiding the serious pitfalls in engaging with this most important
governance revolution of the third millennium CE.”
Simon Szreter
Professor of History and Public Policy, University of Cambridge
Gelb-Metz_Identification Revolution_ab_i-xvi_1-250.indd 3 11/29/17 2:09 PM
Gelb-Metz_Identification Revolution_ab_i-xvi_1-250.indd 4 11/29/17 2:09 PM
IDENTIFICATION REVOLUTION
Gelb-Metz_Identification Revolution_ab_i-xvi_1-250.indd 1 11/29/17 2:09 PM
Gelb-Metz_Identification Revolution_ab_i-xvi_1-250.indd 2 11/29/17 2:09 PM
IDENTIFIC ATION
IDENTIFICATION
RE VOLUTION
REVOLUTION
Can Digital ID Be Harnessed
for Development?
Can Digital ID Be Harnessed
for Development?
ALAN GELB and
ANNA DIOFASI METZ
CENTER FOR GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
Washington, D.C.
Gelb-Metz_Identification Revolution_ab_i-xvi_1-250.indd 3 11/29/17 2:09 PM
Copyright © 2018
center for global development
2055 L St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
www.cgdev.org
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing
from the Center for Global Development.
Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication data are available.
Names: Gelb, Alan H., author. | Diofasi Metz, Anna, author.
Title: Identification revolution : can digital ID be harnessed for
development? / Alan Gelb, Anna Diofasi Metz.
Description: Washington DC : Center for Global Development, [2018] |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017035951 (print) | LCCN 2017054551 (ebook) |
ISBN 9781944691042 | ISBN 9781944691035 (pbk. : alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Biometric identification—Economic aspects. |
Sustainable development.
Classification: LCC HD9999.P3952 (ebook) | LCC HD9999.P3952 G45
2018 (print) | DDC 338.9—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017035951
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Gelb-Metz_Identification Revolution_ab_i-xvi_1-250.indd 4 11/29/17 2:09 PM
Contents
Preface ix
Acknowledgments ix
ONE
Introduction 1
Why Does Identification Matter for Development? 5
How Is the Identification Landscape Changing in the Digital Age? 9
From Identification to Development: Challenges and Risks 23
What Does the Identification Revolution 29
Mean for Development Organizations?
Summary Overview 30
TWO
How Big Is the Global Identification Gap? 35
Can We Measure It?
How to Interpret “Legal Identity” in the Context of
Sustainable Development 38
Birth Registration 43
Gelb-Metz_Identification Revolution_ab_i-xvi_1-250.indd 5 11/29/17 2:09 PM
