Connecting the world and beyond

The ICT Development Index (IDI)

The ICT Development Index (IDI) is a composite indicator published by ITU since 2009. Its methodology has evolved over time, most recently in 2023 following a six-year hiatus in the publication of the index. The current IDI assesses the extent to which connectivity is universal and meaningful in a country – meaning that everyone can access the Internet under optimal conditions, at an affordable cost, anytime and anywhere. Recent editions of the IDI are available on ITU's website.

Current IDI methodology

In October 2022, ITU’s Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 in Bucharest adopted a revised text of Resolution 131. This new text (Rev. Bucharest, 2022) defines, inter alia, the main features of the process for developing and adopting a new IDI methodology and of the IDI itself.

The process (Circular BDT/DKH/IDA/005), which began in January 2023, was iterative, inclusive and transparent. It involved the BDT Secretariat, ITU’s expert groups on ICT Household Indicators (EGH) and on Telecommunication/

ICT Indicators (EGTI), Member States, and experts on composite indicators.

In November 2023, the IDI methodology was approved by Member States (Circulars BDT/DKH/IDA/015
and BDT/DKH/IDA/016). As stipulated in Resolution 131, the approved methodology is valid for four years. The first IDI edition based on the new methodology was released in December 2023. Subsequent editions were released in June 2024 – alongside the launch of the ICT Development Index dashboard on the ITU DataHub – and in June 2025. The 2026 edition is expected to be released in June 2026.

Revision of the IDI methodology

In September 2023, during a joint session of the 14th Meeting of EGTI and 11th Meeting of EGH, members agreed to establish a joint EGTI-EGH subgroup on the IDI methodology for the 2024 work period. The subgroup was tasked with reviewing the methodology and providing recommendations to inform any potential revision, should EGTI and EGH decide to update the methodology, in line with Resolution 131.

In September 2024, the IDI subgroup presented its report for the 2024 period during a joint session of the 15th Meeting of EGTI and the 12th Meeting of EGH. EGTI and EGH members agreed to extend the mandate of the subgroup for the 2025 work period.

In September 2025, the IDI subgroup presented its report for the 2025 period during a joint session of the 16th Meeting of EGTI and the 13th Meeting of EGH. On this occasion, EGTI and EGH members agreed to extend the mandate of the Subgroup for the 2026 work period. In addition, ahead of the expiration of the current methodology’s validity period in 2026, EGTI and EGH members also agreed to formally initiate the revision of the IDI, in accordance with Resolution 131. These decisions are reflected in paragraphs 18-20 of the Summary Report of the 13th Meeting of EGH.

The process that will be followed to revise the IDI methodology is described here and was communicated in Circular BDT/DKH/IDA/004 of 30 January 2026.

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