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Identification for Development: The Biometrics Revolution

Author

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  • Alan Gelb
  • Julia Clark

Abstract

This paper surveys 160 cases where biometric identification has been used for economic, political, and social purposes in developing countries. About half of these cases have been supported by donors. Recognizing the need for more rigorous assessments and more open data on performance, the paper draws some conclusions about identification and development and the use of biometric technology. Some cases suggest large returns to its use, with potential gains in inclusion, efficiency, and governance. In others, costly technology has been ineffective or, combined with the formalization of identity, has increased the risk of exclusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan Gelb & Julia Clark, 2013. "Identification for Development: The Biometrics Revolution," Working Papers id:5248, eSocialSciences.
    • Handle: RePEc:ess:wpaper:id:5248
    Note: Institutional Papers
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jeffrey B. Liebman, 2000. "Who are the Ineligible EITC Recipients?," JCPR Working Papers 131, Northwestern University/University of Chicago Joint Center for Poverty Research.
    3. Alan Gelb and Caroline Decker, 2011. "Cash at Your Fingertips: Biometric Technology for Transfers in Developing and Resource-Rich Countries - Working Paper 253," Working Papers 253, Center for Global Development.
    4. World Bank, 2010. "Public Financial Management Reform in the Middle East and North Africa : An Overview of Regional Experience - Overview and Summary," World Bank Publications - Reports 2953, The World Bank Group.
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    6. repec:idb:brikps:publication-detail,7101.html?id=68489 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. International Monetary Fund, 2011. "Guinea-Bissau: Second Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper," IMF Staff Country Reports 2011/353, International Monetary Fund.
    8. Juan Carlos Benítez Molina & Mia Elisabeth Harbitz, 2010. "Civil Registration and Identification Glossary," IDB Publications (Books), Inter-American Development Bank, number 79259, February.
    9. Bettina Boekle-Giuffrida & Mia Elisabeth Harbitz, 2009. "Democratic Governance, Citizenship, and Legal Identity: Linking Theoretical Discussion and Operational Reality," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 80279, Inter-American Development Bank.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alan Gelb & Julia Clark, 2013. "Performance Lessons from India’s Universal Identification Program," Working Papers id:5512, eSocialSciences.
    2. Amiya Bhatia & Jacqueline Bhabha, 2017. "India’s Aadhaar scheme and the promise of inclusive social protection," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(1), pages 64-79, January.
    3. Thomas Bossuroy & Clara Delavallade & Vincent Pons, 2019. "Biometric Tracking, Healthcare Provision, and Data Quality: Experimental Evidence from Tuberculosis Control," NBER Working Papers 26388, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Giulia Piccolino, 2015. "Making Democracy Legible? Voter Registration and the Permanent Electronic Electoral List in Benin," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 46(2), pages 269-292, March.
    5. Laura Mann, 2018. "Left to Other Peoples’ Devices? A Political Economy Perspective on the Big Data Revolution in Development," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 49(1), pages 3-36, January.
    6. Jonathan Temple & Huikang Ying & Patrick Carter, 2014. "Transfers and Transformations: Remittances, Foreign Aid, and Growth," Bristol Economics Discussion Papers 14/649, School of Economics, University of Bristol, UK, revised 02 Dec 2014.
    7. van Heerden, Alastair & Harris, Danielle M. & van Rooyen, Heidi & Barnabas, Ruanne V. & Ramanathan, Nithya & Ngcobo, Nkosinathi & Mpiyakhe, Zukiswa & Comulada, W. Scott, 2017. "Perceived mHealth barriers and benefits for home-based HIV testing and counseling and other care: Qualitative findings from health officials, community health workers, and persons living with HIV in S," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 97-105.
    8. Sepúlveda Carmona, M. Magdalena, 2018. "Is biometric technology in social protection programmes illegal or arbitrary? : an analysis of privacy and data protection," ILO Working Papers 994989393502676, International Labour Organization.
    9. Manby, Bronwen, 2021. "The Sustainable Development Goals and ‘legal identity for all’: ‘First, do no harm’," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    10. Devarajan, Shantayanan & Do, Quy-Toan, 2023. "Taxation, accountability, and cash transfers: Breaking the resource curse," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).

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