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 synthesizes digital development indicators from over 180 public data sources 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) and see comparisons and recommendations.
Developed through an innovative partnership with GitHub, it is UNDP’s latest tool supporting Member States with their inclusive digital transformation journeys.
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 investor ecosystem
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Significant venture capital 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 commitment to positive socio-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
- Traditional business model, which requires lengthy paperwork, legal complexity, and numerous fees
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Existing office with the basic infrastructure in place (e.g. electricity, Internet)
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Protections exist for online businesses and the process to set one up is quick
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Taxation, banking and employment are easy to do
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Digital contract enforcement. Government services are 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 and 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. 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
Capabilities
- Stage 1. Basic
- Tools are independently chosen, vary widely, and are limited in adoption
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Only enterprise-approved tools are allowed and rarely used
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Staff are skilled at operating online
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Specialized tools are introduced. Redundant processes are automated. Coordination happens digitally across departments
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Agile working method is the norm
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
Leadership and Coordination
- Stage 1. Basic
- Technology leadership is independent without formal executive sponsorship
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Digital has formal relationship only with their executive sponsor
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Digital has formal relationship with multiple executive sponsors across departments
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Digital is vocally encouraged by senior leadership
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Majority of senior leadership values and supports digital transformation
Monitoring
- Stage 1. Basic
- Tight restrictions around releases & testing
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Projects are maintained for problems not improved with benefits
- Stage 3. Systematic
- User experience testing and metrics are tracked across digital projects after launch
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Alpha-Beta-Live approach is standard with standard metrics for tracking success & impact
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Standard is operating publicly with data and information accessible
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 rural
- Stage 3. Systematic
- ISP broadband main cities, wealthy areas. Mobile broadband coverage in main cities
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Universal 4G. ISP broadband in cities affordable & easy to 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 ownership
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Significant computer penetration
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Minimal digital divides in computer ownership
- 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. Transparency 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)
Data Standards and Protection
- Stage 1. Basic
- Intermediary liability protections
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Obligations applicable to each link of the data lifecycle (collection and processing, storage, transfer, and disposal)
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Cross-cutting obligations that apply to all links (responses to data breach, jurisdictional applicability, and rights of data subjects)
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Central regulator
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Streamlined national and international compliance system
E-commerce
- Stage 1. Basic
- Transaction platform. E-payments
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Mobile. E-signatures
- Stage 3. Systematic
- Local fintech. Regulatory sandbox
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Global fintech interconnections
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Cryptocurrency standards
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
Fair Market Competition
- Stage 1. Basic
- Network neutrality
- Stage 2. Opportunistic
- Procurement mechanisms
- Stage 3. Systematic
- R&D grant systems
- Stage 4. Differentiating
- Gatekeeper definitions /anti-competitive conduct
- Stage 5. Transformational
- Information & data porting standards
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 paths 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.
Methodology
- Inclusion of datasets
Based on: Reliability of source, relevance of source, quality of methodology, and both recency and breadth of data.
- Data availability
Transparency into % of data unavailable per country per sub-pillar.
- Scoring
Stage of Digital Readiness is determined from score of 1-5.99. Indicators are converted from Index Data or Calculated according to min/max from Raw Data. Scores are Weighted and Averaged into Sub-Pillar Scores. Scores are Weighted and Averaged into Pillar Scores & paired with a % Data Availability Rate. Scores are Averaged into a Country's Overall Score and paired with a Reliability Score. The Weighting of data and scores is under development.
- Real Time
The data that is aggregated and normalized is pulled in real time. As such, the scores adjust to reflect the latest available data.
- Peer Review
This tool is in Beta version; we are currently under scientific peer review with Expert Advisors. This tool does not intend or imply any form of statistical significance.
Through this effort, we pulled together as many reliable data points on digital development as possible. For more details on our methodology or to contribute to it, reach out to digital@undp.org.