Definition
Records are stored in a digital format, rather than in paper records or ledgers.
Source
(i) Data provided by ID authorities in response to questionnaires, as part of the ID4D Global Dataset data collection; and (ii) Desk research relying on official sources, such as government websites, press releases, reports from UN agencies, and other development partners.
Development Relevance
Storing records in a digital format (i.e., in a database), rather than using an analog, paper-based system (i.e., ledgers or books), is an important first step in digitalization. Typically, having digital data is a pre-requisite for digital verification and authentication services
Methodology
The digital data indicator was coded as “Yes” if the country’s foundational ID system uses electronic storage for new records. For countries where the implementation of a digitalized system/database for identity records was in the pilot stage or otherwise not yet fully operationalized in the year of data collection, the indicator was coded as “No.” The digital data indicator is coded as a “Yes” for countries where newly collected data is stored digitally, but where some portion of older records may still be stored in paper ledgers or similar analog formats. Where ID and civil registration systems are separate, this indicator codes the ID system only.
For more details, see: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099020824141510923/pdf/P176341192f2c50e11bc5619be95c4fb2ed.pdf.