GBG launches the International Identity Index to address the disparity in digital identity ecosystems and build a more inclusive identity industry

19 OCTOBER 2023, LONDON: GBG, the expert in global digital identity, today launches the International Identity Index, ranking the digital identity ecosystem of 48 countries and territories around the world based on international data led identity verification.

In a digital world, citizens and consumers increasingly rely on the internet for access to public and commercial services. However, verified identity data is only sometimes equitable and without the right knowledge of data diversity, businesses can unfairly prevent people from accessing goods and services, including key financial services.

The international Identity Index provides insight to the best way to verify identity around the world, on a country-by-country basis. This is an important step forward in addressing the disparity in national digital identity ecosystems and enables governments and service providers to use alternative identity data to invest, build trust, and increase identity inclusion around the world.

The top five countries identified as having the richest identity data, making it easier for individuals to gain access to digital goods and services, are:

• Germany – Average Identity Score of 625
• Sweden – Average Identity Score of 605
• Netherlands – Average Identity Score of 602
• United Kingdom – Average Identity Score of 601
• Italy – Average Identity Score of 600

The five countries found to have the most fragmented identity data ecosystems are:

• Nigeria – Average Identity Score of 143
• Kuwait – Average Identity Score of 139
• Jordan – Average Identity Score of 125
• Oman – Average Identity Score of 122
• Luxembourg – Average Identity Score of 94

Gus Tomlinson, Chief Product Officer, Identity and Fraud at GBG, said: “Identity data access is not universal. Some countries have rich and reliable data sources and in others the digital identity ecosystem is poor, which means recognising genuine customers is simple in some places and harder in others. Ultimately, this data diversity can negatively discriminate and unfairly prevent people from accessing digital services, including critical financial services such as credit access, opening a new bank account or securing a mortgage, if it is not properly understood.

“In France, for example, credit reference data is not available for the identity verification of French citizens. Instead, we are increasingly seeing mobile operator data being used as an alternative data source to perform good identity verification in the region. This is just one example of the many nuances within digital identity ecosystems which need to be considered. A country's digital identity ecosystem can certainly be improved through data cleansing or by simply leveraging additional available data sets. However, the most important thing is, where identity data quality differs, access can still be provided by building trust in different ways.”

A nuanced country-by-country approach

GBG’s International Identity Index provides an insight into the countries where digital identity data is rich and the places it’s patchy. It also provides nuanced recommendations for the best identity verification journey in each country and the number of data sources required for optimal customer onboarding results, with the aim of increasing inclusivity within digital identity verification globally.

Gus continues: "To avoid exclusion, businesses need to move beyond binary pass-fail compliance checks and embrace a nuanced country by country approach to digital identity verification. Only with an in-depth knowledge of data diversity, can businesses accurately understand where identity data quality differs and therefore identify the need to provide access by building trust in different ways, ensuring identity inclusivity.”

The International Identity Index ranks  countries and territories by the average GBG Identity Score attainable by their populations on a scale of 0 (no confidence) to 1000 (very high confidence) and recommends the best approach to verification.

View the full International Identity Index and find out the average identity score for 48 countries here.

Notes to editor

For more information or to interview Gus Tomlinson at GBG about the findings of GBG’s International Identity Index, please contact communications@gbgplc.com

International Identity Index Methodology

The International Identity Index ranks 48 countries and territories around the world by the average GBG Identity Score attainable by their populations on a scale of 0 (no confidence) to 1000 (very high confidence). This is calculated by assessing identity match accuracy, match integrity and total number of matches discovered in global identity verification data sources to complete the calculation and deliver a score from 0 to 1000. Find out more about GBG Identity Score.

About GBG

GBG is the leading expert in global digital identity. We combine our powerful technology, the most accurate data coverage, and our talented team to deliver award-winning location intelligence, identity verification and fraud prevention solutions.

With over 30 years’ experience, we bring together a team of over 1,250 dedicated experts with local industry insight from around the world to make it easy for businesses to identify and verify customers and locations, protecting everyone, everywhere from fraud.

Learn more at www.gbgplc.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @gbgplc.