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Cash at Your Fingertips: Biometric Technology for Transfers in Developing and Resource-Rich Countries - Working Paper 253

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  • Alan Gelb and Caroline Decker

Abstract

Cash transfers are often a good way for developing countries to address economic and social problems. They are less expensive than directly providing goods and services and allow recipients the flexibility to spend on what they need the most, but for many developing countries, the technical requirements for large-scale programs have been prohibitive. Now, however, biometric technologies have improved and become ubiquitous enough to allow the confident identification and low cost needed to implement successful cash-transfer programs in developing countries. This paper surveys the arguments for and against cash-transfer programs in resource-rich states, discusses some of the new biometric identification technologies, and reaches preliminary conclusions about their potentially very large benefits for developing countries. The barriers to cash-transfers are no longer technical, but political.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan Gelb and Caroline Decker, 2011. "Cash at Your Fingertips: Biometric Technology for Transfers in Developing and Resource-Rich Countries - Working Paper 253," Working Papers 253, Center for Global Development.
    • Handle: RePEc:cgd:wpaper:253
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    File URL: http://www.cgdev.org/content/publications/detail/1425165
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Alan Gelb and Julia Clark, 2013. "Identification for Development:The Biometrics Revolution," Working Papers 315, Center for Global Development.
    2. Sepúlveda Carmona, M. Magdalena, 2018. "Is biometric technology in social protection programmes illegal or arbitrary? : an analysis of privacy and data protection," ILO Working Papers 994989393502676, International Labour Organization.
    3. del Ninno, Carlo & Subbarao, Kalanidhi & Kjellgren, Annika & Quintana, Rodrigo, 2013. "Improving payment mechanisms in cash-based safety net programs," Social Protection Discussion Papers and Notes 84081, The World Bank.
    4. Shantayanan Devarajan, Hélène Ehrhart, Tuan Minh Le, Gaël Raballan, 2011. "Direct Redistribution, Taxation, and Accountability in Oil-Rich Economies- A Proposal- Working Paper 281," Working Papers 281, Center for Global Development.
    5. Alan Gelb & Julia Clark, 2013. "Identification for Development: The Biometrics Revolution," Working Papers id:5248, eSocialSciences.
    6. Armando Barrientos, 2016. "Inequality, Poverty, and Antipoverty Transfers," Working Papers id:11190, eSocialSciences.
    7. Masiero, Silvia, 2016. "Digital governance and the reconstruction of the Indian anti-poverty system," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 68483, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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