Everyone benefits from a mature digital economy, but how do we get there?

A mature digital economy not only fosters innovation and economic opportunity; it enables more equitable distribution and inclusive access to services and opportunities and can provide scalable solutions to fundamental societal challenges, such as education and healthcare.

By Alaa Abdulaal, Chief of Digital Economy Foresight at the Digital Cooperation Organization 

In this era of unprecedented technological advancements, the digital landscape has emerged as a formidable force, reshaping industries, economies, societies, and our lives more rapidly than ever before.

Countries that effectively navigate this landscape gain a competitive advantage, as the maturity of the digital economy will profoundly impact their role in global trade, innovation, and leadership.

Advancing the maturity of the digital economy is a critical priority for countries. Yet it cannot be achieved through a “one-size-fits-all” solution.

This leaves policymakers, businesses, and researchers with a mountain of data, but without a clear view of where they can build on strengths and where they have opportunities to advance their digital economy or even leapfrog ahead.

We developed the Digital Economy Navigator (DEN) as a tool that helps countries effectively identify and navigate their unique digital landscape, build capacity, and focus on efforts that can profoundly impact their economic and social development from a people-centric perspective.

Ambitious analysis

The DEN defines the digital economy widely to include all economic activities driven or enhanced by digital technologies. Many of these also promote human well-being and provide social or environmental benefits.

Based on over 100 indicators including a dedicated survey of over 27,000 people in 50 countries, the DEN is uniquely ambitious. It goes beyond statistical assessments, covering a broad diversity of indicators and topics from a user perspective, with a strong focus on the human and societal dimensions, including gender gaps.

In addition to country-level data, the DEN includes in-depth analysis, practical insights, and recommendations for decision makers.

Ensuring that all countries can actively participate in the digital economy is not only essential for their own economic development but also vital for global stability and equity.
Maturity in the digital economy directly influences a nation’s capacity to address critical challenges, such as improving education, reducing poverty, and combating climate change.

Digital technologies are increasingly recognized as key enablers of progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering innovative solutions that can drive change on a global scale. The UN estimates that digital technologies can accelerate the achievement of 70 per cent targets under the SDGs, including climate action (SDG 13), education (SDG 4), and poverty alleviation (SDG 1).

Digital economy growth for people’s well-being

The Digital Cooperation Organization is committed to fostering global cooperation and supporting the acceleration of digital transformation everywhere.

When we initially envisioned measurement of the digital economy, we wanted a tool that would enable policymakers, businesses, and researchers to make informed decisions that harness its potential for the betterment of societies and economies alike.

As conceived, the DEN is dynamic, evolving alongside the inevitable changes in how digital technologies affect growth and societal well-being in future.

We look forward to collaborating with the policymakers, decision-makers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries putting the DEN to action for their people.

Explore the DEN at den.dco.org

DCO’s Digital Economy Navigator (DEN) was launched at SDG Digital on 21 September 2024.

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