Digital ID apps to exceed 6.2 billion by 2025

The number of digital identity apps in use is predicted to exceed 6.2 billion by 2025, from just over one billion in 2020. A new study from Juniper Research found that civic identity apps, where government-issued identities are held in an app, will account for almost 90% of digital identity apps installed globally in 2025; driven by the increasing use of civic identity in emerging markets and the lasting impact of the pandemic.

The report noted that the shift to digital services during the COVID-19 pandemic will stimulate rapid growth in civic identity — growing by 467% between 2020 and 2025, as robust onboarding and verification for digital services become vital.

“Civic identity apps have come into their own as a way to boost digital financial participation, particularly in emerging economies. Post-pandemic, this capability will be crucial in enabling increased digital engagement,” said Nick Maynard, research co-author.

The research found that civic identity apps will overtake the number of digital identity cards in use in 2023, with the number of apps in use 41% higher than cards by 2025. While digital identity cards are still growing, research indicates that apps are easier to scale, and better support increased involvement in digital commerce.

Blockchain will be important to the future of digital identity, with blockchain-based third-party digital identity apps accounting for 16% of all installed third-party identity apps in 2025. However, this is not necessarily the self-sovereign model, where numerous parties such as banks, identity providers and mobile network operators work together to provide identity as part of a wider network. Blockchain will provide an effective way to secure federated access to data, injecting trust and transparency.

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