Biometrics In Government Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028

The biometrics in government market was valued at US$13.707 billion in 2021

The biometrics in government market involves the use of biometric technologies in sectors such as law enforcement, border control, national identification programs, and public service delivery. It encompasses the analysis of unique physical and behavioural characteristics like fingerprints, facial recognition, iris scans, voice recognition, and DNA to authenticate and identify individuals. This market serves various applications, including criminal identification, forensic investigations, secure traveler verification, unique citizen identities, and efficient government benefits distribution. Driving factors for this market include escalating security concerns, the need for streamlined public services, technological advancements in biometric solutions, and regulatory mandates. Key players in this market include NEC Corporation, IDEMIA, and Aware, Inc.

However, the market faces constraints such as privacy concerns regarding biometric data, challenges related to implementation complexity and costs, limitations in the accuracy and vulnerability of certain biometric technologies, and interoperability issues when integrating different solutions across government agencies.

The biometrics in government market is driven by the increasing security concerns and the rising need for efficient public services

Increasing security concerns - Governments worldwide are facing a growing number of security challenges, including terrorism, identity theft, and illegal immigration. These concerns drive the demand for robust biometric solutions in the government sector. This growth is fueled by the increasing investments made by governments in enhancing their security infrastructure and adopting advanced biometric technologies to strengthen border control, law enforcement, and national security measures. According to the FBI crime report, the number of reported identity theft crimes in the United States fluctuated between 2017 and 2021. Starting at 17,636 cases in 2017, it decreased to 16,128 in 2018 (-8.5%). The number remained stable in 2019 at 16,053 cases. However, a significant surge occurred in 2020 with 43,330 cases (+170%), likely influenced by increased online transactions and COVID-19 vulnerabilities. This trend continued in 2021 with 51,629 reported cases (+19%). These figures highlight the persistent challenge of identity theft and the need for ongoing efforts to protect personal information.

Rising need for efficient public services- Efficient public service delivery is a key priority for governments aiming to provide timely and accurate services to their citizens. Biometric systems offer a reliable and efficient means of identification and authentication, reducing fraud and ensuring the right benefits reach the intended recipients. This growth is attributed to the demand for improved service delivery across various government sectors, including welfare programs, healthcare, and public administration.

Market Developments:

• In September 2022, Trust Stamp launched a privacy-centric biometric solution for government customers, utilizing its irreversibly transformed identity token (IT2) to secure users' biometric data. The solution offers customizable privacy protection levels and enables enrollment and authentication processes to occur on the user's device, with minimal data collection. Trust Stamp's Privtech Certified structure allows government agencies to verify digital identities and mitigate fraud risks. The IT2 tokens allow for identification without disclosing underlying biometric data, providing a privacy-first approach for government interactions.
• In May 2021, NEC North America launched a subsidiary, NEC National Security Systems (NEC NSS), to deliver biometrics, identity, AI, and computer vision applications to U.S. government agencies. As a FOCI-mitigated subsidiary, NEC NSS provides integrated solutions for national security, defense, intelligence, immigration, and law enforcement use cases. The main customers of NEC NSS include the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Department of State, the Department of Justice, and the U.S. intelligence community.

 The hybrid/multimodal segment is expected to witness robust growth. 

Hybrid/multimodal biometrics in the government market offer enhanced accuracy, security, versatility, and a frictionless user experience by combining multiple biometric modalities. This approach addresses the evolving need for identity verification and authentication processes in government applications. Technological advancements, including improved algorithms and sensor capabilities, contribute to its growth. Hybrid/multimodal biometrics also helps governments meet regulatory compliance while ensuring privacy. However, integration challenges and the need for standardized frameworks remain potential hurdles. Overall, the hybrid/multimodal approach holds significant potential in the market, but successful adoption will depend on addressing integration issues and ensuring regulatory adherence.

Asia Pacific accounted for a significant share of the global biometrics in government market

Based on geography, the biometrics in government market is segmented into North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The Asia Pacific region has witnessed substantial growth in the adoption of biometrics in the government sector. Countries like China, India, and Japan have implemented large-scale biometric identification programs for citizen identification, border control, and public services. The region's population size and the need for robust identity verification systems have been key drivers for biometric deployments in various government applications. Additionally, government efforts have also benefitted the market. For instance, in March 2022, Maharashtra became the first state in India to launch a biometric database of criminals, aiming to aid law enforcement agencies in tracking down criminals more efficiently. The database, called Automatic Multimodal Biometric Identification System (AMBIS), includes digital fingerprints, iris scans, and other biometric data of approximately 6.5 lakh individuals under trial and convicts.

Market Segmentation:

BY COMPONENT

• Hardware
• Microcontroller
• Cameras
• Scanners
• Finger Print Readers
• Others
• Software

BY TYPE

• Contactless
• Contact-Based
• Hybrid/Multimodal

BY APPLICATION

• Border Control
• Public Safety
• E-Passport
• Voter Registration
• Latent Print Matching
• Healthcare and Welfare
• Others

BY GEOGRAPHY

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• Germany
• France
• United Kingdom
• Spain
• Others
• Middle East And Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Israel
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• India
• South Korea
• Indonesia
• Taiwan
• Others