This report was authored by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Report name

United Nations E-Government Survey 2022

**Who wrote this report? **

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs is a vital interface between global policies in the economic, social, and environmental spheres and national action. It works in three main interlinked areas: (i) it compiles, generates and analyses a wide range of economic, social, and environmental data and information on which States Members of the United Nations draw to review common problems and to take stock of policy options; (ii) it facilitates the negotiations of Member States in many intergovernmental bodies on joint course of action to address ongoing or emerging global challenges; and (iii) it advises interested Governments on the ways and means of translating policy frameworks developed in United Nations conferences and summits into programmes at the country level and, through technical assistance, helps build national capacities.

The United Nations E-Government Survey is prepared over a two-year period following an established methodology. It looks at how digital government can facilitate integrated policies and services across 193 UN Member States. The Survey supports countries’ efforts to provide effective, accountable and inclusive digital services to all, bridge the digital divide and leave no one behind. In the report of the Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation, the E-Government Survey is recognised as a key ranking, mapping, and measuring tool, supporting the digital transformation of countries.

Best quote

It is imperative that digital government—including e-services and e-participation—be set up in a way that strengthens rather than undermines trust in Governments and public institutions.

Key takeaways:

  • Owing to remarkable improvements in telecommunications infrastructure and human capacity development, the global E-Government Development Index (EGDI) average has increased overall. But while the data shows general increases in online services for vulnerable groups, evidence of pervasive digital divides is stark–all of the countries with the lowest EGDI rankings are those in special and developing situations.

  • Denmark, Finland and the Republic of Korea lead the 2022 digital government ranking of the 193 United Nations Member States, scoring the highest when it comes to the scope and quality of online services, status of telecommunication infrastructure and existing human capacity. Runners-up are New Zealand, Sweden, Iceland, Australia, Estonia, the Netherlands, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, and Malta.

  • Looking at the future, a growing number of countries are moving towards an agile, seamless, invisible government in which fully automated services are made accessible to anyone anytime from anywhere–using cutting-edge technologies. But the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development should remain the government blueprint for building a more resilient and inclusive future, with “Leaving no one behind” becoming the key principle for the future, making e-government a force for good.

What’s in this report?

The Survey measures e-government effectiveness in the delivery of public services. It is composed of analytical chapters and of data on e-government development contained in the annexes of the publication, providing a snapshot of relative measurement of e-government development of all Member States. It features extensive annexes on its data, methodology, and related pilot study initiatives.

The Survey tracks progress of e-government development via the United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI). The EGDI, which assesses e-government development at the national level, is a composite index based on the weighted average of three normalised indices. Similarly, the local Online Service Index (LOSI) captures the state of the development of e-government service provision for similar features at the city level. Analysis of this global, regional, and city-level data is available in chapters 1-3 of the Survey.

Following this is a chapter on inclusion in the hybrid digital society that explores a range of human-centred issues related to access, affordability, general abilities, digital literacy, and language. And finally, a concluding chapter that outlines the trends and developments related to the future of digital government.

Why should you read this report?

With the evolution of digital government, public administrations and institutions around the globe have been transformed—both structurally and in terms of the dynamic between Governments and the people they serve. Beyond the measurements and rankings, these observations draw from two decades of analytical research and the monitoring of trends within the framework of the United Nations E-Government Survey. The Survey calls on Governments to invest more in long-term national digital transformation plans, as meaningful connectivity must be guaranteed for all to help prepare for future crises and shocks. Advances in technology and e-government must support sustainable human development—and leaving no one behind.

Who is this report for?

The Survey is intended mainly for policymakers, government officials, academia, civil society, private sector, and other practitioners and experts in the areas of sustainable development, public administration, digital government, and Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) for development.

The Survey serves as a benchmarking and development tool for countries to learn from each other, identify areas of strength and challenges in e-government, and shape their policies and strategies. It is also aimed at facilitating and informing discussions of intergovernmental bodies, including the United Nations General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the High-level Political Forum.

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