India’s Unique Identification (UID) project offers important lessons for other countries. UID’s performance data show that large countries can implement biometric ID programs with low levels of exclusion and high accuracy, but this requires the combined use of multiple biometrics....

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...

European countries pride themselves on being leaders in spurring development within poor countries. We find that Europe’s approach to development could be characterised as energetically tackling the symptoms of poor economic opportunities for developing countries by providing effective aid,...

Formal identification is a prerequisite for development in the modern world. The inability to authenticate oneself when interacting with the state—or with private entities such as banks—inhibits access to basic rights and services, including education, formal employment, financial services,...