Global e-Passport Market Won't Reach Pre-COVID Levels Until 2024

LONDON,April 27,2021 -- According to ABI Research,a global tech market advisory firm,the COVID-19 pandemic forced the worldwide shipments of e-Passports to drop from 192 million in 2019 to 116 million in 2020. The sharp decline in issuance levels,a YoY decrease of -39%,has been attributed to border closures,severe restrictions on international travel,and shutdowns for credential enrolment and personalization centers.

"Not surprisingly,of all the credential types,the e-Passport market has been the most significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic," says Sam Gazeley,Digital Security Analyst at ABI Research. "The e-Passport shipment levels in passport-heavy countries such as the United States and China declined by over 40% Year on Year (YoY). However,it is also important to note that smart national ID programs around the world have experienced significant postponements. The anticipated Philippine,Kenyan,and Nigerian projects,for example,are now not expected to begin until late 2021 or early 2022."

Smart driver's license shipments fell to 56 million units in 2020,down from 57 million units in 2019,driven mainly by COVID-19 induced project delays or postponements."Brazil will see the rollout of mobile driver's licenses in 2022,but this will remain a companion to the physical credential. e-ID issuance showed a YoY decline of -11.6% from 2019 to 2020,falling to 275 million units. Projects that have already begun issuance,such as those in Turkey,Italy,and Bangladesh,will continue to issue,but at reduced volumes," Gazeley explains. YoY growth for e-passport shipments stands at a considerable decline of -39.8% between 2019 and 2020,falling to 116.2 million units. ABI Research believes the e-Passport market will not recover to pre-COVID levels until 2024/2025 for most regions.

As countries continue to enter and exit lockdowns and experience disruption to everyday life,the passport market has seen a sharp downturn as international travel opportunities remain largely reduced and inconsistent. From a more granular perspective,the effect of COVID-19 on the global passport market has been twofold. "First,significant travel restrictions and closures of borders have limited the use cases of the passport to an in-country form of identification. For countries that already use another credential—such as a national ID and driver's license—as their primary ID format,the passport is struggling to find traction especially as it relates to replacement rates owing to a high end-user cost. Second,those citizens who have elected to renew their passports throughout 2020 met significant delays in the credential issuance due to closures of enrollment and personalization centers," Gazeley says. To reduce levels of contact and enable social distancing,many governments have sought to limit or close nonessential offices and centers,and in some instances,this included departments that contain credential personalization. "As such,passport renewals will experience a backlog because personalization centers will be issuing pre-requested passports before issuing newer replacements once lockdowns begin to fully lift," concludes Gazeley.

These findings are from ABI Research's Government and Healthcare ID Cardsmarket data report.This report is part of the company'sDigital Securityresearch service,which includes research,data,and analyst insights. Market Dataspreadsheets are composed of deep data,market share analysis,and highly segmented,service-specific forecasts to provide detailed insight where opportunities lie.

About ABI Research

ABI Research provides strategic guidance to visionaries,delivering actionable intelligence on the transformative technologies that are dramatically reshaping industries,economies,and workforces across the world. ABI Research's global team of analysts publish groundbreaking studies often years ahead of other technology advisory firms,empowering our clients to stay ahead of their markets and their competitors.

ABI Research提供开创性的研究和战略指导，帮助客户了解日新月异的技术。自1990年以来，我们已与全球数百个领先的技术品牌，尖端公司，具有远见的政府机构以及创新的贸易团体建立了合作关系。我们帮助客户创造真实的业务成果。

For more information about ABI Research's services,contact us at +1.516.624.2500 in the Americas,+44.203.326.0140 in Europe,+65.6592.0290 in Asia-Pacific or visitwww.abiresearch.com.

Contact Info:

Global

Deborah Petrara

Tel: +1.516.624.2558

pr@abiresearch.com

Logo - http://cusmail.com/res/2023/07-24/23/b75fa6aec7bd01daa437c945f4d0318f.jpg