Overview
Reliable data is essential for monitoring, understanding, and advancing digital transformation.
Statistical work by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) spans the entire data lifecycle, from setting global standards to data collection, analysis, and dissemination. ITU also tracks indicators for capacity development and international cooperation related to information and communication technologies (ICTs) globally.
ITU's contribution
ITU provides trusted, high-quality statistics on various aspects of digital connectivity and transformation to support governments, policy-makers, and researchers.
While the
ICT Data and Analytics Division is primarily responsible for ITU statistical and data output, several specialized units independently produce statistics in areas such as digital
policy and regulation,
cybersecurity,
environmental impact, and mobile broadband infrastructure. Most ITU statistics are freely available through the
ITU DataHub.
Global standards for ICT statistics
To ensure consistency and international comparability in ICT statistics, ITU defines and updates indicators, mainly through its
two expert groups: the Expert Group on ICT Household Indicators (EGH) and the Expert Group on Telecommunication/ICT Indicators (EGTI). These groups comprise representatives from national statistical offices, regulators, ministries, academia, international organizations and industry. In addition to defining what to measure (i.e., indicators), these expert groups also establish how to measure it, by developing sound and practical
methodological standards.
Each year,
EGTI and
EGH form thematic working groups tasked with refining or updating existing indicators or developing new ones, ensuring that the measurement agenda keeps up with the rapidly changing digital landscape.
The indicators and standards defined by EGTI and EGH are documented in the
Manual for Measuring ICT Access and Use by Households and Individuals, the
Handbook for the Collection of Administrative Data on Telecommunications/ICT, and the
ICT Price Basket Manual. Reviewed periodically, these publications provide definitions, methodologies, and examples to facilitate the implementation of these methodologies.
Data collection and production of ICT statistics
ITU
collects and validates data from governments, national statistical offices, and regulators worldwide. These efforts are complemented by desk research. The data collected is used to produce statistics for hundreds of indicators related to regulation, infrastructure, investment, revenue, adoption, use and applications of connectivity, and digital skills. ITU maintains the largest dataset on the affordability of ICT services covering consistently over 200 economies.
Where necessary, ITU produces estimates for individual countries and country groups, including ITU regions, countries in special situations and income groups, using established statistical estimation methods.
Other ITU units also maintain datasets in specific thematic areas, including
policy and regulation,
cybersecurity,
broadband infrastructure, and environment, including e-waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Data dissemination
Making ICT data freely available in a user-friendly manner is key to supporting effective policymaking. The
ITU DataHub offers access to hundreds of indicators related to connectivity and digital transformation, organised by topics. It features economy profiles, visualization tools, interactive dashboards, and an advanced data query tool. The platform is continuously enhanced with new features, tools, and data.
Data science for official statistics
The data science team within ITU's ICT Data and Analytics division advocates for, pioneers, and leverages
big data, including anonymized
mobile phone data as well as alternative data sources and new methods to enhance the accuracy, timeliness, and granularity of ICT statistics and address persistent gaps in official statistics. It collaborates with other international organizations and research organizations, including through pilot projects in countries around the world, to develop, test, and promote these new methods. Within the
UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics, ITU chairs the
Task Team on Mobile Phone Data and leads its subgroup on synthetic data.
Analysis and research
Beyond data collection, ITU transforms statistics into policy-relevant insights through research and reports that inform policy and investment decisions. The
Measuring digital development series of publications provides data-driven analysis of ICT trends and aspects of the digital divide, including the
Facts and Figures, the
Global Connectivity Reports and the
Affordability of ICT services reports. The annual
ICT Development Index assesses economies based on several key dimensions of universal and meaningful connectivity. Other data-driven ITU publications include the
Global Cybersecurity Index, the
Global Regulatory Outlook, and the
Global E-waste Monitor.
Capacity development and technical assistance
ITU supports the development of national data ecosystems through
capacity-development activities and technical assistance. It equips policymakers and statisticians with the skills and tools needed to produce, analyse, and use ICT statistics, strengthening both the production and use of quality data.
ITU conducts regional training workshops and online courses, helping national experts develop data collection and analysis skills. The ITU Academy offers specialized training on the collection of
ICT household indicators,
ICT administrative indicators, and the use of
mobile phone data for official statistics. Upon request, and subject to resource availability, ITU provides technical assistance, primarily to developing countries.
Global cooperation and sustainable development
Every autumn, the
World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Symposium (WTIS) brings together stakeholders from around the world as a leading global forum for discussing emerging trends and measurement needs and advancing the ICT measurement agenda. Together with the annual meetings of EGTI and EGH, which follow the Symposium, it forms ITU's ICT Data Week.
ITU coordinates various global ICT measurement efforts and helps monitor progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ITU is the custodian of
six UN SDG indicators.
Additionally, ITU monitors progress of the
Connect 2030 Agenda, as well as the
WSIS targets and
the targets for universal and meaningful connectivity.
ITU is a founding member of the
Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development, and a member of its Steering Committee. Through data collection, advocacy, sharing of good practices, and capacity development, this coalition of 14 international organizations enhances the availability and quality of ICT data and promotes evidence-based policymaking. By coordinating the responsibilities for the collection of ICT-related indicators, the Partnership helps avoid duplication of efforts.
ITU actively contributes to relevant UN fora on statistics, including the
UN Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities (CCSA) and the
UN Statistical Commission.
Professionalism and ethics in ICT statistics
ITU conducts its statistical activities in accordance with the
Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, and with the
United Nations Principles Governing International Statistical Activities. These principles underpin ITU's commitment to ensuring that its activities uphold integrity, independence, and transparency. By upholding these professional and ethical standards, and applying rigorous, internationally agreed methodologies, ITU aims to produce impartial, high-quality data that supports evidence-based policymaking.
Last update: October 2026
