The Identification for Development (ID4D) Global Dataset, compiled by the World Bank Group’s Identification for Development (ID4D) Initiative, presents a collection of indicators that are of relevance for the estimation of adult and child ID coverage and for understanding foundational ID systems' digital capabilities. The indicators have been compiled from multiple sources, including a specialized ID module included in the Global Findex survey and officially recognized international sources such as UNICEF. Although there is no single, globally recognized measure of having a ‘proof of legal identity’ that would cover children and adults at all ages or, of the digital capabilities of foundational ID systems, the combination of these indicators can help better understand where and what gaps in remain in accessing identification and, in turn, in accessing the services and transactions for which an official proof of identity is often required.
Newly in 2022, adult ID ownership data is primarily based on survey data questions collected in partnership with the Global Findex Survey, while coverage for children is based on birth registration rates compiled by UNICEF. These data series are accessible directly from the World Bank's Databank: https://databank.worldbank.org/source/identification-for-development-(id4d)-data. Prior editions of the data from 2017 and 2018 are available for download here. Updates were released on a yearly basis until 2018; beginning in 2021-2022, the dataset will be released every three years to align with the Findex survey.