Network Readiness Index 2022
Benchmarking the Future of the Network Economy
NRI 2022 Ranking
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How the ranking works
Since network readiness is a multi-dimensional concept, the Network Readiness Index (NRI) is a composite index constructed with three levels.
The primary level consists of four pillars that make up the fundamental dimensions of network readiness. Each of the fundamental pillars divides into additional sub-pillars that constitute the second level. The third level consists of individual indicators distributed across the different sub-pillars and pillars of the primary and secondary levels. All indicators used within the NRI belong to a pillar and a sub-pillar.
Technology
Technology is at the heart of the network economy. This pillar, therefore, seeks to assess the level of technology that is a sine qua non for a country’s participation in the global economy.
People
The availability and level of technology in a country is only of interest insofar as its population and organizations have the access, resources, and skills to use it productively.
Governance
Governance is all about, how safe individuals and firms are in the context of the network economy, regulation and digital inclusion.
Impact
Ultimately, readiness in the network economy is a means to improve the growth and well-being in society and the economy.
Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2022 Highlights
The most network-ready societies
The United States, Singapore, Sweden, the Netherlands and Switzerland are the most network-ready societies, according to the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2022 report. This makes Europe (with three countries in the global top 5) the leading region in the world.
The global leaders
The United States remains the undisputed global leader when it comes to Future Technologies; ranking in the top 5 in each sub-pillar (Access, Content, Future Technologies). China is now a global leader in key areas such as AI, e-commerce, 5G, gig economy prevalence and education quality, and it is helping bridge the digital gap between higher and middle income economies. While Singapore leads in the overall regulation of digital technologies and its impact on the economy and society at large.
The ones facing challenges
Africa continues to trail behind other regions, especially when it comes to access, affordability, and usage of ICTs. However, some of the most noteworthy efforts in overall performance identified this year are among the African countries of the middle and lower-income groups. Regionally, most of the countries performing above their expected levels of development are located in Africa, with 20 economies in total.
Digital Natives are shaping the world
Digital transformation is affecting all aspects of our lives but it is doing so in very uneven ways. Accelerated digitalization of our societies is benefitting more those with skills and abilities to master them - typically younger generations. However, we still do not fully understand what challenges and opportunities the digital age will present for younger generations or how young people will approach shaping our collective future.
The importance of tracking network readiness
The global pandemic turned digital transformation from a priority into a global imperative, highlighting that many aspects of our lives are heavily dependent on technology. NRI data and findings can be useful for identifying trends, best practices and appropriate actions to ensure that the economic and social benefits of this enhanced digital revolution are distributed evenly across the globe.
- Africa31 Countries
- Arab States12 Countries
- Asia & Pacific21 Countries
- CIS6 Countries
- Europe41 Countries
- The Americas20 Countries
- Albania
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkiye
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
Countries
In contrast to previous years, the top 10 performers in the NRI 2022 repositioned themselves in their relative level of network readiness.
It is noteworthy that the top 10 performers are all high-income economies and do well across most of the pillar dimensions comprising the NRI. Each of the top 10 countries achieves top 25 rankings across all four primary pillars (Technology, People, Governance, Impact). As for regional distribution, Singapore and Korea are the only top 10 countries located in Asia and the Pacific, and the United States is the only economy located in the Americas. The rest of the top 10 rankings consist of European countries.
Our Knowledge Partners
Knowledge Partners (KPs) are a select group of public or private institutions that are passionate about the overall goal of using technology for the good of all. KPs are actively engaged with the use of technology to enhance competitiveness, to further development and to support an inclusive and sustainable growth agenda. KPs commit to engaging with Portulans Institute to support the development of the NRI across the entire cycle - from its conceptual framework to its execution and launch.
Learn more about the benefits of becoming a knowledge partner here.
For more information contact us at info@portulansinstitute.org.
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Initially launched in 2002 with the World Economic Forum, 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 need to be integrated within an effective governance structure in order to have the right impact on our economy, society and the environment. The 2022 NRI is the fourth edition of this renewed methodological model and it is focused on the role of 'digital natives' in shaping the process of digital transformation. It ranks a total of 131 economies based on their performance across 58 variables.
