This paper provides a snapshot of the digital capabilities of government-recognizedidentification (ID) systems across three dimensions: (i) digitally stored records; (ii) digital verification or authentication for in-person transactions; and (iii) digital authentication for online transactions. This paper and data are part of a three-volume series that began with the 2021 ID4D Global Dataset and seek to contribute to a more precise typology and understanding of global trends in the digitalization of ID systems. This analysis is based on primary data collection from ID authorities (2021-2022), data from the 2021 World Development Report's Global Data Regulation Survey, and desk research. The paper finds that in more than 90 percent of countries globally, ID systems now rely on digital data; identification systems across at least two-thirds of countries offer at least a basic type of digital identity verification or authentication for in-person transactions; and about 40 percent to countries-primarily high-income ones—have a digital ID ecosystem that enables fully remote, secure authentication for online transactions. When combined with data on the number of people without an official proof of identity, these findings suggest that, in addition to the estimated 850 million people globally who do not have official identification, many more do not have official, digitally verifiable identity credentials or credentials that would allow them to securely transact in online contexts. Our analysis suggests that at least 1.1 billion people do not have a digital record of their identity; 1.25 billion people do not have a digitally verifiable identity; and 3.3 billion people do not have access to a government-recognized digital identity to securely transact online. We hope this data provides a useful starting point for further unpacking ID systems' digital capabilities and how they are used in practice
