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Core list of indicators

​​​​​ One of the key achievements of the Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development has been the identification of a core list of indicators. This list of over 50 indicators, which was agreed upon through a consultation process involving governments and international organisations, covers the following areas: ICT infrastructure and access; access and use of ICT by households and individuals; use of ICT by businesses; the ICT sector; trade in ICT goods; ICT in education; and e-government. The list was identified to help guide countries in measuring the information society.
 
Download the latest version (pdf format) of the Partnership core list of ICT indicators, as of March 2022.

What is the core list of ICT indicators?

 
​The core list of ICT indicators is composed of over 50 indicators in the following areas: 
The Partnership recommends the core list as a basis for ICT data collection in countries. The indicators included in the core list are clearly defined and associated with statistical standards, which allows comparability across countries. An increasing number of countries are integrating the core list of ICT indicators into their existing household and business surveys. The members of the Partnership are providing assistance in this process.

How was the core list of ICT indicators developed?

The core list of ICT indicators was the outcome of an intensive consultation process by the Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development, which involved NSOs worldwide. The indicators are based on internationally agreed standards (especially those developed by ITU, OECD and Eurostat).
 
The original core list of ICT indicators (pdf format) was agreed at the WSIS Thematic Meeting on Measuring the Information Society (Geneva, 7-9 February 2005) (pdf format), which was attended by 270 delegates from 85 countries (National Statistical Offices, Telecommunication Regulatory Agencies and Ministries, and Ministries related to information society activities), intergovernmental organizations, NGOs and civil society. The core list was officially presented during an event at WSIS Tunis (November 2005).
 
The development of ICT indicators is a continuous process, and the list will undergo periodic review. As countries gain experience in the collection of ICT data, and as policy needs evolve, indicators may be modified, removed or added. As a result of the Partnership's 2008 Global Event on Measuring the Information Society, revisions and additions to the core list of ICT indicators were submitted for comments by all countries. This included the addition of a set of ICT in education indicators. In 2011, a list of e-government indicators (pdf format) were added to the core list.