01 Aug 2025
by Evelyn Woodland

How the UK Can Build a National Digital Identity Wallet: Global Case Studies to Guide the Way

Digital IDs are not new. Around the globe, countries have been developing and refining digital identity systems for decades. India’s Aadhaar has already processed a staggering 13.8 billion individual authentications; Estonia’s eID system has been a trusted part of everyday life for over twenty years; and Singapore’s Singpass connects millions of citizens to hundreds of public and private services. As the UK prepares to launch its own GOV.UK Wallet, it is adopting a position of learner and adapter, drawing crucial lessons from these global pioneers to guide its digital identity journey.

Estonia: eID - Foundations of a Digital Society

Estonia set the standard for digital identity. Launching “Tiger’s Leap” in 1996, Estonia invested early in digital literacy, infrastructure, and a secure eID scheme. Today, 99% of citizens hold an ID card: whether voting, opening a company, or managing prescriptions, the eID makes it possible.

Why did eID work in Estonia? It wasn’t technology alone; there was a strong government mandate, infrastructure and probably the most important, high digital literacy from its citizens. Having the most technologically advanced systems means nothing if a majority of users are unable to use them. “In Estonia great emphasis is placed on developing the digital skills of its inhabitants – programming, robotics and modern technologies are taught even in kindergartens.”  Recent reports have shown that 87% of households have a computer, 91% of people use the internet regularly, and most towns and cities provide free Wi-Fi.

Above all, trust runs deep. Citizens can see who accesses their data and retain control, with strict security measures embedded in every transaction. This level of transparency, combined with a legally mandated universal system, builds confidence; a critical factor Estonia has mastered.

Can the UK offer that level of confidence? They will need to: scepticism runs deep after high-profile failures like Verify. In Estonia, success didn’t come from selling citizens empty promises, but from showing them, day after day, that the system was secure, reliable, and beneficial to all.

India: Aadhaar - Scale, Ambition, and Caution

No country has attempted what India set out to do with Aadhaar: over 1.39 billion digital identities and counting. In a nation of extraordinary size, Aadhaar has become a lifeline to public services, subsidies, and a modern banking system.

But scale brings scrutiny. Critics highlight the risks of centralising biometric data, including concerns over surveillance, privacy breaches, and service exclusion, particularly affecting marginalised groups whose biometrics may not always register reliably. India’s experience shines a light on issues of data privacy and surveillance.

“Apart from the questions on official data and evidence, India has been gripped by a post-implementation debate with the Supreme Court involving several critical rulings around issues of privacy, data security and the Aadhaar bill itself. Aadhaar tells a story of transformation but also deep trade-offs.” 

If the UK wants scale, it should not forget that bigger isn’t always better unless privacy, inclusion and accountability come first. While the desire for wide adoption and integration with services like banking and welfare is strong, it must be balanced against user control, inclusion, and uncompromising data protection.

Singapore’s Singpass: Seamless, But Not Without Centralisation

If Estonia’s strength is breadth and India’s is scale, Singapore’s Singpass excels in convenience. In 2024, it boasts over 4.2 million users and gives instant access to an astonishing 2,700+ government and private services. From paying taxes to buying insurance, one app does it all. Yet the real brilliance is in the details: Singpass lets you pick which data to share with each provider, and their API approach means innovation can flourish far outside government circles.

Yet Singapore’s centralised approach isn’t without its detractors. Privacy advocates express concern over the concentration of data under government control, underscoring the need for transparency and checks to maintain public trust. It’s a reminder that convenience must never override fundamental rights and accountability.

 The big lesson here? Convenience matters, but trust and accountability are equally essential.

Where the UK Stands: Poised to Leap or Linger?

The UK stands on the brink of a digital identity revolution, but success will depend on learning from the nuance and complexity evident in Estonia, India, and Singapore’s journeys. Estonia has shown that trust, transparency, and infrastructure matter far more than flashy features. Its citizens enjoy control and universal access because digital identity there is not a novelty; it’s foundational. India’s ambitious Aadhaar rollout, on the other hand, reveals the pitfalls of scale without airtight safeguards: the world’s largest identity platform is both a triumph of inclusion and, at times, a warning about privacy, exclusion, and data security. Singapore proves how seamless convenience can be engineered through technology and policy, but also highlights the growing importance of personal data control and the risks of over-centralisation.

The UK is on the threshold of change. The GOV.UK Wallet promises a modern, user-controlled way to carry official credentials; a single app for your veteran’s card, mobile driver’s licence, even tax records. Powered by the new GOV.UK One Login system, built with privacy and modularity in mind, could finally unlock seamless digital government.


If you’re interested in understanding how these lessons translate in practice or want to stay informed about progress and opportunities in UK digital identity, join us at the DigiGov Expo 2025, held on the 24 and 25 of September at ExCeL London. This is the UK’s leading public sector technology event, bringing together over 3,000 digital, data, and technology experts from across government, local authorities, and the wider public sector. Complimentary tickets are available for the public sector, register your pass today.

Strategic partners, Government Digital Service (GDS) and the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) will be onsite, sharing the latest updates on the GOV.UK Wallet and other digital identity initiatives. This event offers a chance for public sector leaders, tech innovators, and policymakers to:

  • Get hands-on insight into the progress of national digital identity programmes
  • Hear from key government figures and digital experts in sessions and panel discussions
  • Explore real-world case studies of digital transformation and learn how to apply lessons to their work
  • Network with peers, industry leaders, and solution providers driving innovation in the public sector

For anyone interested in the future of digital public services, this event is a must-attend.


Evelyn Woodland

Evelyn Woodland

Marketing Manager, GovNet

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Usman Ikhlaq

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Evelyn Woodland

Evelyn Woodland

Marketing Manager, DigiGov Expo