The Digital Development Compass provides an analysis of national digital development based on a comprehensive collection of publicly available data sets on digital.
The Compass aggregates and synthesises digital development indicators from over 180 publicly available open-source datasets into interactive dashboards across the pillars of the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) digital transformation framework. Users can interact with the data to understand the digital state of any nation (based on publicly available data); it is not intended to be used as an evaluative statistical tool or an index.
The Digital Development Compass aims to serve as a guide and starting point for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders in their efforts to promote digital development in their respective countries. Users are encouraged to exercise caution and critical thinking when interpreting the results and to consider the broader socio-cultural, political, and economic context of each country's digital development efforts.
Developed through an innovative partnership with GitHub, it is UNDP’s latest tool supporting Member States with their inclusive digital transformation journeys.
Feedback and constructive criticism are welcome to improve the accuracy and usefulness of the Compass. To raise your concerns or reflections regarding the data or results, please contact us via the chatbox.
How the Compass Works
The Compass provides a score that assesses the digital maturity of a nation. This is determined by the seven pillars of UNDP’s digital transformation framework:
Each of these pillars is formed of various sub-pillars and their respective indicators, which can be mapped to a specific stage of digital transformation. Every stage is assigned a score, which represents the level of digital transformation maturity of a nation.
Let's walk through navigating an example in the Compass:
Basic
1
Opportunistic
2
Systematic
3
Differentiating
4
Transformational
5
Stages of Digital Readiness by Transformation Pillar
Business
Overall
- Stage 1. Basic
- Limited digital integration across sectors
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Growing technology penetration in key sectors
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Cross-sector collaboration. Seed financing.
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Digital coordinated across sectors. Venture financing.
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Digital industry. Enacting digital responsibility standards
Financing Incentives
- Stage 1. Basic
- Mainly from International Institutions
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Supported by Angel ecosytem
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Significant Venture Captial support
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Traditional Banking available
- Stage 5. Transformational
- R&D Grants and foreign Venture Capital available
Impact Commitments
- Stage 1. Basic
- Privacy Policies + Terms of Service
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- EU GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)-type Adherence
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Structure for committment to positive social economic, technological and environmental impact
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Public security, privacy, hiring audits/ Transparency Reports
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Open Data + Transparent Algorithms + Inclusive Hiring Practices
Startup Environment
- Stage 1. Basic
- Starting a business requires lengthy paperwork, legal complexity, and numerous fees
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Easy to set up an office with construction, electricity and internet
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Businesses can be formed quickly. Protections exist for online businesses.
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Taxation, Banking and Employment are easy to do
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Digital contract enforcement. Government services all accessible instantly online.
Technology Adoption
- Stage 1. Basic
- Businesses operate on email
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Businesses operate via chat
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Key sectors operate using a variety of digital tools for management
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Most sectors operate using a variety of digital tools for management
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Majority of companies are digital by default
Foundations
Overall
- Stage 1. Basic
- Siloed to operate independently and/or missing key elements entirely
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Partially synchronized to operate together
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Fully synchronized to operate together while protecting user privacy and control
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Using open standards and ensuring vendor and technology neutrality
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Ensuring universal coverage for individuals from birth to death without discrimination
Data Exchange
- Stage 1. Basic
- Data is limited, siloed, paper-based
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Some data is shared via image-based PDFs
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Data is shared via machine-readable PDFs and Spreadsheets
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- There is a standard for publishing data that is increasingly adhered to. Majority of data is available.
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Public data is published in a structured way by default that is API accessible
Digital Legal Identity
- Stage 1. Basic
- Paper Birth & Death Registry
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Records digitized
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Records digitalized
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Records integrated with government and business services
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Federated / self-sovereign ID system with multiple validators
Digital Payments
- Stage 1. Basic
- Traditional banking. This is the main means of managing money and payments through the 19th century centered around bank accounts and paying through cash or checks
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Introduction of digital access to bank accounts. This is the digitization of traditional banking with debit and credit cards, and online banking to process cashless payments
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Prepaid accounts and mobile money. This includes prepaid payment cards, apps and mobile money accounts which may not require a bank account
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Decoupling payment systems. This includes digital wallets where payment is initiated in a connected device, and the money remains in a bank or prepaid account
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Decoupling currency account. This includes digital wallets where money is converted into a private or local currency available only on the device or application
Government
Overall
- Stage 1. Basic
- Limited capacity
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- First digital initiatives in siloes. Limited political support.
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Shared vision and strategy. Vocally encouraged.
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Embedded in decision-making. Codified in administrative acts.
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Culture of innovation. Codified in legislation.
Digital Public Services
- Stage 1. Basic
- Services are done in paper form
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Initial digitization
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Initial digitalization
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Adoption of and adherence to the Principles For Digital Development
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Creating replicable Digital Public Goods
Funding and Procurement
- Stage 1. Basic
- Digital budgets are collected from funds allocated to various departments
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Departments allocate digital budgets annually
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Digital is dependent on annual budget negotiations
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Digital is supported by multi-year allocation of capital
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Multi-year budgets include funding for both operations and capital expenditures
Infrastructure
Overall
- Stage 1. Basic
- Limited infrastructure. Access to undersea internet cables.
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Growing internet service provider & mobile networks.
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Growing connectivity. Limited developer & business ecosystems.
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Affordable connectivity. Strong supply chains. Growing tech hubs.
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Universal broadband. IoT. Inclusive ecosystems.
Connectivity Technology
- Stage 1. Basic
- Limited broadband (mobile & ISP)
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- ISP Broadband Urban. Mobile coverage rurual.
- Stage 3. Systematic
- ISP Broadband Main Cities, wealthy areas. Mobile broadband coverage main cities.
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Universal 4G. ISP broadband in cities affordable & easy access
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Universal mobile broadband. Universal ISP broadband. affordable, easy access. secure
Innovation Ecosystem
- Stage 1. Basic
- Universities with outdated curriculum & schools without internet
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Engaged diaspora
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Growing software developer ecosystem
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Growing startup ecosystem and tech spaces. Prevalent digital education
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Growing venture capital ecosystem. Diversity in tech spaces and across ecosystems.
People
Overall
- Stage 1. Basic
- Limited literacy. Cultural aversion to technology.
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Limited digital literacy. Consumption-focused. Deep digital divide.
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Growing digital literacy. Production increases. Technology embraced.
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- High levels of digital literacy. Online financial transactions.
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Limited digital divide.
Culture
- Stage 1. Basic
- Digital is perceived as foreign
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Digital is perceived as risky
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Digital is perceived as innovation
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Digital/ STEM education is prioritized
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Digital is perceived as a fundamental skill for society
Digital Literacy Skills
- Stage 1. Basic
- Knowledge of how to access digital tools
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Knowledge of how to use digital tools for personal use
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Knowledge of how to access digital tools for professional use
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Understanding of how to identify and use new digital tools
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Knowledge of how to create digital tools and/or automations
Digital Wellbeing
- Stage 1. Basic
- Reducing e-waste
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Reducing physical security risks and online harassment
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Access to health services
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Digital addiction monitoring
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Tracking and mitigating disinformation
Usage and Ownership
- Stage 1. Basic
- Significant mobile penetration
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Minimal digital divides in mobile
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Significant computer penetration
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Minimal digital divides with computers
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Digital economy positively impacting average citizen
Regulation
Overall
- Stage 1. Basic
- Limited legal capacity
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Regulations support fundamentals.
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Initial policies and laws established.
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Regulations enable innovation. Transparently online.
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Foundations enabled. Regulations integrated.
Cybersecurity
- Stage 1. Basic
- Spam prevention
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Cybercrime definitions
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Cybersecurity regulation such as reporting requirements
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Encryption and anonymity standards. Central regulator.
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Decentralization (eg Bug Bounties)
Ethical Standards
- Stage 1. Basic
- Duties to disclose and advertising
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Terms & conditions of transactions, transparent/secure payment, and data protection
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Dispute resolution and redress and the right to withdraw/cancel
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Transparency standards
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Manipulation protection
Strategy
Overall
- Stage 1. Basic
- Basic foundations of digital transformation (particularly infrastructure and digital skills) are lacking hindering process for further stages
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Country is advancing in selected areas of digital transformation but without coordinated strategy
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Country is systematically advancing in key areas of digital transformation based on identified priority areas (e.g. skills, digital public services, etc.)
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Country has clear strengths in digital transformation and foundational elements in place
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Country is advancing in all areas of national digital transformation based on an integrated strategy
Approach
- Stage 1. Basic
- Analog Transformation
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Information Technology Transformation
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Digital Transformation
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Whole-of-Society Digital Transformation
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Inclusive Whole-of-Society Digital Transformation
Ambition
- Stage 1. Basic
- Status-Quo
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Improving through modernization, urbanization, and industrialization
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Improving through support of skills, production capacity, and IT technologies
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Leapfrogging: bypassing traditional stages of development by jumping directly into the latest technologies to pursue new opportunities
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Leapfrogging: bypassing traditional stages of development by jumping into alternative path of technological development involving emerging technologies with new benefits and new opportunities
A Digital Public Good
The software and data that are used to put together the Compass are open source and in the process of becoming Digital Public Goods.
Automations scrape publicly available spreadsheets, PDFs, and documents into a machine-readable format. Scripts normalize the data according to a UN-defined list of countries, regions, sub-regions, income groups, & territorial borders. Data is automatically updated as soon as international organizations release new reports. All code and data is transparent and available as a global resource on GitHub. Visit https://github.com/undp/digital-development-compass to see the latest.
