Global E-Passport Market Research Report: Forecast (2024-2030)

Market Definition

An e-passport, also known as an electronic or biometric passport, is an international travel document that helps people travel abroad and also provides an international identity card. It contains personal information such as a passport number, nationality, date of birth, first and last name, and an electronic microprocessor chip that contains information such as fingerprints, photographs, and signatures.

Market Insights & Analysis: Global E-Passport Market (2024-30):

The Global E-Passport Market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 21.65% during the forecast period, i.e., 2024-30. The market has grown significantly due to substantial government initiatives aimed at streamlining border procedures and enhancing security to prevent fraud. Additionally, with the growth of globalization, international travel has surged during the past few decades. This growth in international travel has also led to a surge in individuals evading standard legal procedures through fraudulent documents. For instance,

• In 2023, European Union Member States and Schengen Associated Countries reported the detection at the EU’s external borders of 17,424 fraudsters using or possessing 22,395 fraudulent documents.

Due to the increase in the use of fraudulent documents, countries around the world are implementing e-passports to improve border security. As per the International Civil Aviation Organization, over 140 countries and entities issued e-passports as of 2023. Additionally, citizens across the globe are becoming more aware of security issues related to international travel; as a result, there is growing public pressure on governments to implement more secure travel procedures, which is further anticipated to accelerate the adoption of e-passports.

Global E-Passport Market Driver:

Surging International Travel to Drive Market Growth – During the last decade, many economies have experienced significant economic growth, leading to a surge in disposable income, which has enabled more individuals to afford international travel. Additionally, the increase in the number of low-cost carriers has made air travel more accessible, which has subsequently enhanced international tourism. For instance,

• In 2023, as per the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), international arrivals reached approximately 1.3 billion.

The growth in international tourism has enhanced the focus on standardizing travel documents to ease the process of international travel, owing to which countries across the globe are adopting e-passports. Moreover, there's been a significant increase in the number of students seeking educational opportunities abroad across the globe. Along with this, many universities and educational institutions, especially in North America and Europe, are actively promoting international campuses and partnerships. The increase in international student mobility highlights the advantages of adopting e-passports for governments to facilitate smoother and more efficient border crossings. This is anticipated to drive market growth & expansion during the forecast period.

Global E-Passport Market Opportunity:

Digitalization of Airports to Open New Doors for Market Players – Countries across the globe are substantially adopting digital technologies in airports to streamline airport operations, reducing wait times and processing delays. Automated check-ins, baggage handling, and security checks speed up necessary processes and reduce human error. Moreover, there is a surge in focus on developing advanced airport infrastructure across developing nations in the Asia-Pacific and Latin America. For instance,

• In 2024, the Indian government announced the launch of 15 new airport projects. The terminal buildings of these airports are anticipated to have state-of-the-art passenger amenities.

As airports become more technologically advanced, the need for enhanced security measures would also grow. This is anticipated to create new demand for e-passport services, which would open new doors for market players as e-passports, embedded with biometric information and electronic chips, provide a higher level of security than traditional passports.

Global E-Passport Market Challenge:

High Implementation Cost & Issuance of Contracts by Government Authorities to Hinder Market Growth & Expansion – The issuance and management of e-passports involve significantly high costs for technology development, secure data management systems, training, and regulatory compliance. Due to this, many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South Asia, the Smaller Pacific Island Nations, etc., which have limited budgets and other economic priorities, are anticipated to witness delays in the adoption of e-passports. This is anticipated to hamper the market potential during the forecast period.

Moreover, the issuance of e-passport projects is mostly done through government tenders in most countries. This includes liaising with various government bodies and adhering to strict security standards. Therefore, this complexity and the scale of investment are barriers for smaller companies and new entrants. 

Global E-Passport Market Trend:

Integration of Blockchain with E-Passports Gaining Momentum – Globally, integrating biometric data with blockchain technology to create biometric blockchain (BBC)-based e-passports is gradually gaining traction, as it offers a robust solution by combining the unique identification capabilities of biometrics with the security features of blockchain technology. Moreover, the immutability and encryption offered by blockchain ensure that once data is recorded, it cannot be altered or accessed unauthorizedly. This is crucial for protecting sensitive personal information from hacks or leaks. Moreover, blockchain implements privacy-preserving technologies that verify identities without revealing the underlying data, which is appealing to privacy-conscious states.

Additionally, blockchain is becoming a major technology across verticals in airport management. At airports in countries like the UK, Germany, France, etc., the use of blockchain for improving operational efficiencies, security systems, and customer experiences is further creating a favorable environment for the integration of biometric blockchain-based e-passports.

Global E-Passport Market (2024-30): Segmentation Analysis

The Global E-Passport Market study of MarkNtel Advisors evaluates & highlights the major trends and influencing factors in each segment. It includes predictions for the period 2024–2030 at the global level. According to the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based on Type:

• Biometric e-Passports
  • Face Recognition
  • Fingerprint Recognition
  • Iris Recognition
  • Others
• Non Biometric e-Passport
  • Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID)
  • Others

During the past decade, there has been an increase in document fraud and identity theft, due to which many countries have faced difficulties in managing their border security. Owing to this, corrective measures such as face recognition are being highly substantially adopted due to their fast and efficient control system. It is faster and more convenient compared to other biometric technologies, such as fingerprints or retinal scanning. Facial recognition also has fewer touchpoints compared to entering passwords or PINs. The purpose of facial recognition biometric identification is to capture a person's data from a face scan, and facial recognition biometrics are facilitated by increased public acceptance, massive accuracy improvements, and abundant supply and pricing in sensors, IP cameras, and software. Thus, facial recognition biometric e-passports have a significant market share, and the same trend is expected to continue in the forecast year as well.

Based on Security:

• Basic Access Control
• Extended Access Control
• Supplemental Access Control
• Biometric Authentication

The biometric authentication segment holds a major share of the Global E-Passport Market and is anticipated to follow the same trend. Biometric technology is widely being employed in countries such as Egypt, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, etc. to certify that the passport and its holder are genuine and to eliminate fraudulent activities like border crossing, passport cloning, fake passports, etc. Biometric authentication includes the use of iris scans, fingerprints, facial recognition, etc. to verify an individual's identity. These markers are extremely difficult to manipulate compared to traditional security features like photographs or personal information, which provide a higher level of security. Currently, in many countries, E-Passports use PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) to authenticate the information stored in the chip, which has some shortcomings like skimming, eavesdropping, clandestine scanning, etc.

Biometric authentication would overcome the above issues by authenticating the traveler through their fingerprint and other measures and thereby securing the tag information through an irrevocable hash function. Consequently, the biometric segment holds more authenticity and accuracy, and as a result, it is anticipated to keep up a dominant market share in the Global E-Passport Market in the coming years.

Global E-Passport Market (2024-30): Regional Projections

Geographically, the Global E-Passport Market Market expands across:

• North America
• South America
• Europe
• The Middle East & Africa
• Asia-Pacific

Globally, e-passport initiatives have been put in place by European nations, including the UK, Germany, France, etc., to improve border security and expedite immigration procedures. Travelers in the area are becoming more drawn to digital technologies due to their convenience and security features, which include quicker processing periods and a lower chance of identity theft. Due to this, countries in the region are adopting technologies like Face Recognition, Fingerprint Recognition, Iris Recognition, etc., at a comparatively higher rate. For Instance,

• In 2024, the UK's Border Force plans to introduce advanced facial technology at UK airports to enable 'frictionless travel' without the need for passports. The facial recognition technology aims to create an “intelligent border," in which legacy passport desks would be replaced by next-generation e-gates.

Furthermore, Europe is facing various security challenges, such as terrorism and illegal immigration. E-passports are equipped with enhanced security features such as biometric data integration, which significantly reduces the risk of identity fraud and helps in the accurate identification of individuals. Owing to this, the adoption of e-passports is anticipated to surge in Europe.

Global E-Passport Industry Recent Development:

• In 2023: Infineon Technologies AG issued nearly five million next-generation electronic passports, incorporating (FSE: IFX / OTCQ: IFNNY) innovative coil-on-module (CoM CL) solution in Turkey. This cutting-edge technology, designed to meet the highest security standards, has resulted in an ultra-thin electronic data page that ensures exceptional durability and protection against forgery.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our Global E-Passport Market Report

1. Global E-Passport Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size & share, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps businesses gain a holistic understanding of market dynamics & make informed decisions.
2. This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing businesses to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
3. Global E-Passport Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, businesses can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.