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United Nations

E-Government Survey 2024

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Accelerating Digital Transformation �for Sustainable Development

Vincenzo Aquaro

Chief of digital Government Branch

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Division For Public Institutions and Digital Government

Department of Economic and Social Affairs

United Nations

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  • The most important source of data for large-N studies [e.g.. Åström et al. 2012; Jho & Song 2015; Tavares et al. 2020];
  • Defines the concept and trends of e-government and e-participation, framing policy choices [Janssen et al. 2004; Bershadskaya et al. 2012; Skargren 2020];
  • Contributes to disseminating knowledge and policy diffusion [Skargren 2020];
  • Some countries explicitly introduce the Survey into their internal performance assessment.

13th Edition of the Report

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Chapter.1: A new Digital Government Model Framework

The Framework emphasizes the importance of

leveraging digital technologies to enhance public services delivery, promote inclusivity, and achieve the SDGs

  • The Digital Government Model Framework provides countries with a comprehensive methodological road map for the effective planning, implementation and assessment of digital government initiatives.

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  • It embodies the ecosystem approach, focusing on principles of good governance, inclusivity, and security.

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DGMF : Business Drivers

Digital Leadership

    • Effective digital leadership drives a country’s success in e-government, emphasizing a common vision, holistic strategies, and strong digital ecosystems.
    • Countries at the top of the EGDI rankings showcase strong digital leadership, which is crucial in adapting to technological disruptions like AI.
    • Digital leadership must be inclusive, merging digital and development policymaking at both national and local levels, with responsibility often centered in top government offices.

Data Centricity

    • Data-centric approaches position data as a core strategic asset, optimizing government productivity, accountability, and inclusivity.
    • Implementing a "single source of truth" (SSOT) ensures centralized, consistent, and high-quality data management, enhancing efficiency and reducing redundancy.
    • Countries adopting SSOT, like Singapore and South Africa, demonstrate improved data governance and public trust.

Legal Digital Identity

    • Digital identity is essential for accessing government services and enabling digital trade, key for inclusive digital transformation.
    • Millions still lack legal digital identity, particularly in least developed countries, underscoring the importance of SDG target 16.9 (legal identity for all).
    • Effective digital identity systems, like India’s, significantly enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of public service delivery.

Effective E-Participation

    • E-participation, a pillar of sustainable development, links public engagement with formal government processes.
    • Institutionalizing e-participation fosters continuous public involvement in decision-making and strengthens trust in digital governance.
    • Addressing digital literacy and trust challenges is crucial for broader public engagement in e-participation initiatives.

Enhancing Digital Literacy

    • Digital literacy is vital for inclusive digital government, particularly for vulnerable and marginalized communities.
    • Building digital awareness and capacity through targeted programs ensures that no one is left behind in the digital age.
    • The E-Government Survey 2024 introduces e-government literacy as a new area of assessment, emphasizing the need for digital skills across all population segments.

Digital Infrastructure

    • A shared digital infrastructure enhances efficiency, security, and collaboration across government institutions.
    • Modular, open-source digital public infrastructure allows for next-generation, interoperable systems, enabling countries to leapfrog in digital development.
    • Examples include Singapore’s Government on Commercial Cloud (GCC) platform, which enhances digital service deployment and monitoring capabilities.

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E-Government Development Index (EGDI)

TII – Telecommunications Infrastrucutre Index

HCI - Human Capital Index

OSI - Online Service Index

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Online Services Index (OSI)

SP – Services Provision

CP – Content Provision

IF – Institutional Framework

  • The OSI, a proprietary quantitative index developed by UN DESA, evaluates e-government services provision across the 193 Member States.
  • Based on responses to a comprehensive OSI questionnaire about each country's national government portal and key ministerial websites, this vital metric assesses how Governments leverage digital technologies to enhance e-governance and public engagement.
  • The OSI assessment questions are categorized into five thematic areas:
    • Institutional framework (IF),
    • Services provision (SP)
    • Content provision (CP)
    • Technology (TEC),
    • E-participation (EPI)

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TEC – Technology

EPI – E-Participation

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Telecommunications Infrastructure Index (TII)

  • The 2024 E-Government Survey has introduced a significant enhancement to the TII, replacing the fixed broadband subscriptions indicator with a new affordability indicator to complement the three existing subindices.
  • Affordability:
    • Mobile broadband data and voice high-consumption basket price as a percentage of gross national income (GNI) per capita. This basket refers to the cheapest mobile broadband plan (and add-on) providing at least 2 GB of monthly data using at least 3G technology, 140 minutes of voice, and 70 SMS messages.
    • Fixed-broadband Internet basket price as a percentage of GNI per capita. Fixed-broadband (wired) Internet traffic is traffic generated by fixed-broadband subscribers and measured at the end-user access point. The indicator is calculated by dividing fixed-broadband Internet traffic by total fixed-broadband subscriptions.

Source: ITU, Measuring Digital Development: ICT Development Index 2024 (Geneva, 2024).

IU – Internet Users

(% of population)

MS –Mobile subscription per 100 inhabitants

AF – Affordability

AM – Active mobile-broadband sub. per 100 inh

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Human Capital Index (HCI)

  • For the 2024 Survey, the HCI has been significantly enhanced by the addition of a new subindex – e-government literacy (EGL) – to complement the four existing subindices.
  • The EGL subindex, developed in-house using data from national portal assessments, measures digital literacy skills, which play a crucial role in the effective implementation and utilization of e-government services. As Governments continue to digitalize their operations, the ability people to engage with digital platforms has become increasingly important.
  • E-government literacy
    • As a subindex of the HCI, the EGL measures the ability of all segments of the population, especially vulnerable groups, to take full advantage of available e-government services and e-participation opportunities.
    • The EGL measures the level of e-government literacy within a country by assessing key features on government portals.

MYS – Mean years of schooling

GER – Gross Enrol. ratio

EYS – Expected years of schooling

AL – Adult literacy

EGL – E-Government literacy

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E-Government Development at a Glance

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E-government development has improved at the global level, with the average EGDI value reaching 0.64 on a scale of 0 to 1, up from 0.61 in 2022

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For the first time, Member States with very high EGDI values comprise the largest share, accounting for 39% of the total (76 of the 193 MS)

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However, the number of countries with low EGDI values has increased from 7 to 11 since 2022, primarily due to geopolitical conflicts and post-conflict situations.

Source: E-Gov 2024, Chapter 2 - Global Trends in E-Government

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E-Government Development: Digital Divide

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The proportion of the population lagging behind fell from 45.0 % in 2022 to 23.7 % in 2024. This improved ratio primarily derives from the positive performance of Asia followed by Americas

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In Africa, 84.4 % of the population lag behind, down from 94.6 % in 2022, as 6 (4 in 2022) of 54 countries now have EGDI above the world average

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However, the path to digital inclusion and sustainable development in Africa and in SIDS remains fraught with obstacles and uncertainties highlighting the urgent need for accelerated efforts and innovative solutions to address digital disparities.

Source: E-Gov 2024, Chapter 3 - Regional E-Government Development and the Performance of Country Groupings

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While urban areas benefit from advanced digital infrastructure, rural and remote areas and villages often lag behind.

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E-Government: Regional Performances

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Average EGDI values have improved in all regions since 2022. Europe remains the leader, followed by Asia, the Americas, Oceania and Africa

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Asia has made the most notable progress, with a 7.7% increase, followed by Africa (4.8 %), Oceania and the Americas (4.1 %) and Europe (2.3%)

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However, despite the significant progress achieved in Oceania and Africa, the EGDI average for these two regions remains below the global average of 0.64

Source: E-Gov 2024, Chapter 2 - Global Trends in E-Government

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E-Government Development: Regional Trends

AFRICA

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In the Americas, the proportion of countries in the VH-EGDI group increased from 23 % in 2022 to 31 % in 2024. This positive trend has been driven by countries in LAC, which have shown a growing commitment to enhancing online services delivery, improving digital infrastructure, and expanding Internet access. Initiatives to improve e-participation and digital inclusion have also played a pivotal role in fostering greater civic engagement and narrowing the digital divide. Regional collaborations and international partnerships have further accelerated digital advancement.

Source: E-Gov 2024, Chapter 3 - Regional E-Government Development and the Performance of Country Groupings

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Leadership in Digital Government: The United States, Canada, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil are leading the region in digital government development, demonstrating strong advancements in infrastructure, service delivery, and citizen engagement.

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Steady Growth in Digital Integration: Most countries in the Americas (20 in total) are in the middle EGDI category, showing continuous growth in digital integration despite various challenges.

Americas: Top Leading Countries, 2024

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Progress in EGDI Ratings: Ecuador, Mexico, and Colombia have moved into the "very high" EGDI group for the first time in 2024, signaling significant progress in their digital government capabilities.

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Ongoing Challenges in Digital Infrastructure: Countries like Belize, Cuba, and Honduras face significant gaps in digital infrastructure and human capital, and Haiti remains at the lowest EGDI level, struggling with political crises and conflicts that hinder digital progress.

Source: E-Gov 2024, Chapter 2 - Global Trends in E-Government

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The overall distribution of SIDS across the different EGDI levels has remained relatively stable. The majority of SIDS (54%) are in the high EGDI group, 38% are in the middle group, 5% are in the very high group, and 3% are in the low group

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Among the countries in special situations, the SIDS group has the highest variance in EGDI values. Singapore and Mauritius are the only SIDS with very high EGDI values. Only 12 of the 37 SIDS have EGDI values above the global average

Source: E-Gov 2024, Chapter 2 - Global Trends in E-Government

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The average EGDI value for SIDS has increased by 3%, reflecting steady progress in digital government development. The LDC/ SIDS have shown significant improvement, particularly in online services provision, increased by 8%

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Top Leaders, 2024

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A similar high dispersion and diversity situation prevails in SIDS highlights substantive gaps in e-government development and an alarming digital divide

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Key Takeaways:�Ten Recommendations (1/5)

First: Digital Public Infrastructure

LAC countries should continue to invest in expanding its digital public infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Ensuring that all citizens have access to reliable and affordable internet is crucial for bridging the digital divide.

Governments should implement targeted initiatives to ensure these areas are not left behind. These efforts should be tailored to meet the unique needs of rural and remote populations.

Second: Digital Inclusion

Promoting digital inclusion is essential for ensuring that all segments of society benefit from digital transformation. Initiatives should focus on providing affordable access to digital devices, offering digital literacy training, and creating inclusive digital platforms that cater to the needs of marginalized groups such as women, the elderly, people with disabilities and immigrants.

The concept of "digital inclusion by design," as highlighted in the United Nations E-Government Survey 2024, should be one of the guiding principles in digital transformation efforts. This approach emphasizes the need to embed inclusivity in all digital initiatives from the outset, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.

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Key Takeaways: Ten Recommendations (2/5)

Third: Improving e-government services

Governments should work towards providing seamless, user-friendly digital services that enhance citizen engagement and streamline administrative processes.

Developing integrated service delivery platforms, ensuring interoperability of government systems, and adopting a citizen-centric approach to service design are essential steps. Simplifying regulatory procedures and reducing bureaucratic barriers will also make it easier for citizens and businesses to interact with the government.

Fourth: Building Digital Skills

Investing in digital education and training programs is essential for building a skilled workforce capable of driving digital transformation. LAC countries should focus on enhancing digital skills across all levels of education, from primary schools to higher education institutions.

Collaborating with the private sector to provide on-the-job training and professional development opportunities will ensure that citizens are equipped with the necessary skills to thrive in the digital economy.

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Key Takeaways: Ten Recommendations (3/5)

Fifth: Encouraging Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Fostering an environment that encourages technological innovation, and entrepreneurship is key to driving digital transformation. LAC countries should consider providing targeted funding for research and development, offering incentives for tech startups, and creating innovation hubs. These initiatives will support the growth of a vibrant tech ecosystem and spur economic diversification.

Sixth: Promoting Public-Private Partnerships.

PPPs are crucial for driving digital transformation projects. These partnerships leverage the strengths of both sectors, sharing expertise and reducing the financial burden on public resources. LAC countries should encourage as much as possible collaborations between the governments and private sector to execute large-scale cross-border digital infrastructure projects and service delivery innovations.

Seventh: Strengthening Cybersecurity.

Developing robust legal and regulatory frameworks to safeguard digital assets and personal information. Implementing national cybersecurity strategies, establishing data protection laws, and promoting best practices for secure digital transactions. Collaboration with international cybersecurity organizations,

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Key Takeaways: Ten Recommendations (4/5)

Eights: Leveraging International Cooperation

LACs countries should continue to engage in international cooperation and partnerships to enhance its digital capabilities. Collaborating with international organizations such as the United Nations, the Regional Commission, IADB, World Bank Group, and the International Telecommunications Union can provide valuable technical assistance, funding, and capacity-building support. Participating in regional initiatives and exchanging best practices with other countries will further strengthen digital transformation efforts

Ninth: Monitoring and Evaluation

Establishing a robust monitoring and evaluation framework is essential for tracking progress and measuring the impact of digital transformation initiatives. LACs countries should set joint clear performance indicators and regularly assess the effectiveness of its digital government programs. This will enable governments to make data-driven decisions and continuously improve its strategies

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Key Takeaways: Ten Recommendations (5/5)

Tenth: Responsive and ethical use of AI

LACs countries should adopt a responsive and ethical approach to the use of artificial intelligence (AI). This includes ensuring that AI applications respect human rights and are used for the common good (AI4Good).

AI should be employed to enhance and amplify the workforce and improve the quality of work, rather than to replace jobs.

Policies should focus on using AI to support and augment human capabilities, thereby creating new opportunities and enhancing productivity.

Additionally, LACs countries should commit to not using AI for surveillance of the population or for automated weapons, ensuring that AI technologies are aligned with ethical standards and international norms.

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Thank You

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