NRI 2021 is the third edition of a revamped NRI model, addressing current concerns of trust, governance, inclusion and impact on the SDG targets. It has provided, and continues to provide, a methodological framework that identifies the factors that enable national economies to fully benefit from advances in information and communication technology (ICT).
The NRI has been redesigned in 2019 by its founders and co-editors, Soumitra Dutta and Bruno Lanvin, now under the auspices of the Portulans Institute, to reflect how technology and people should be integrated. Being this year its main knowledge partner the company STL, who are integrators of digital networks in the industry.
Over the past two decades, this index has established itself as one of the most comprehensive assessments of digital readiness in the world, ranking a total of 130 economies based on their performance on 60 variables, which together account for nearly 95 percent of gross domestic product. World (GDP).
Because of this, many countries use the NRI to design their digital strategies, connecting technology with people and governance to make an impact.
The theme presented on December 2 in its current edition was;
“Shaping the Global Recovery: How Digital Technologies Can Make the Post-COVID-19 World More Equal.”
Although it is early to predict the full impact of this digital acceleration, the report offers a first look at its impact on governments, businesses and individuals, and how it has impacted the global recovery from the crisis.
NRI data and findings can help determine the appropriate courses of action to ensure that the economic and social benefits of this enhanced digital revolution are equally distributed around the world.
RANKS AND SCORES
The most prepared societies:
The Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark are the most future-proof societies, according to the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2021 report. This makes Europe (with four countries in the world’s top 5) the leading region in the world.
World leaders:
The United States remains the undisputed world leader when it comes to future technologies; rank in the top 5 in each sub-pillar (Access, Content, Future Technologies).
China is now a world leader in key areas such as artificial intelligence, e-commerce, 5G, and quality of education, and is helping to bridge the digital divide between middle- and high-income economies.
Those facing challenges:
Africa continues to lag behind other regions, especially when it comes to ICT access, affordability and use. However, some of the most notable overall performance efforts identified this year are found among African countries in low- and middle-income groups.
According to the result of the index, the countries that occupy the first 10 places by score are:
- Netherlands 82.06
- Sweden 81.57
- Denmark 81.24
- United States 81.09
- Finland 80.47
- Swiss. 80.20
- Singapore 80.01
- Germany 795
- Norway 78.49
- United Kingdom 76.60
Mexico is on this list occupying position number 59 with a score of 52.57 in the upper middle income group.
As the top 10 list indicates, NRI 2020 confirms that advanced economies in Europe, parts of Asia and the Pacific, and North America are among the most network-ready societies in the world.
More specifically, 17 of the top 25 countries are in Europe (mainly Northern and Western Europe), four economies are in East and Southeast Asia, two are in Oceania (Australia and New Zealand), and two are in North America (Canada and U.S).
Of the economies included in this year’s index, 50 are high-income economies, 33 are upper-middle-income countries, 33 are lower-middle-income countries, and 14 are low-income countries. In terms of regional distribution, there are 30 African countries, 12 Arab states, 21 Asian and Pacific economies, six from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), 41 European countries, and 20 countries from the Americas.
CLASSIFICATION BY CONCEPT OR PILLAR
Technology
- U.S
- Swiss
- Netherlands
People
- Republic of Korea
- Denmark
- Finland
Governance
- Norway
- Netherlands
- Denmark
Impact
- Singapore
- Swiss
- Netherlands
In conclusion, the pandemic made digital transformation a global priority as it increased our dependence on technology. Over the past two years, our dependence on technology has increased and accelerated the inevitable process of digital transformation as many aspects of life moved online.
The shift towards greater dependence on technology has brought about recognizable social, economic and political changes that will have a lasting impact.
Javier López Casarín is an Expert in Innovation.
Innovation Expert
Guest column
Strategic entrepreneur, innovator and agent of change committed to his country and reinvention through his projects. He has a long history in the business world in the financial, telecommunications and technology sectors as well as in the field of social promotion, which has allowed him to develop methodologies for the identification, analysis and effective solution of current challenges.
Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx