Lack Of Progress In Closing Digital Divide Gap, Says World Economic Forum

By Kelly Burke for Intellectual Property Watch

A significant gap remains in advanced and developing economies’ access to information technologies, according to the 2013 “Global Information Technology Report” released today by the World Economic Forum.

According to a World Economic Forum press release, the report concluded that “national policies in some developing economies are failing to translate ICT investment into tangible benefits in terms of competitiveness, development and employment.”

This year’s report ranked 144 global economies on their ability to take advantage of digital infrastructure and content to increase economic growth and well-being.

Finland, Singapore, and Sweden topped the report’s Networked Readiness Index, followed by the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Strong intellectual property protection was cited as a reason for Singapore’s continued high placement on the index.

Despite a small jump in the rankings from 2012, BRICS economies continue to place low on the index: Brazil (60th), Russia (54th), India (68th), China (58th), and South Africa (70th). China’s low placement was attributed, in part, to “questionable intellectual property protection” and “institutional framework that stifles entrepreneurship and innovation.”

Additionally, the report found that while efforts have been made in Latin America and the Caribbean to develop and upgrade information technology infrastructure, the regions still face connectivity challenges.

The report is based on a four key criteria in assessing the readiness of countries to fully leverage information and communications technology (ICT), which include:  ICT infrastructure and cost of access; uptake and use of ICT among governments, business and individuals; political and regulatory framework; and economic and social impacts accruing from ICT.

The full 2013 report can be found here.