About

Developed through an innovative partnership with GitHub, the Digital Development Compass is UNDP’s latest tool supporting Member States with their inclusive digital transformation journeys. The Compass provides an analysis of a nation’s digital development based on a comprehensive collection of publicly available data sets.

The Digital Development Compass aggregates and synthesizes digital development indicators from over 140 open-source datasets into interactive dashboards. These dashboards cover the six pillars of the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Digital Transformation Framework, allowing users to quickly understand the digital state of any nation.

Ultimately, the Digital Development Compass aims to serve as a guide and starting point for policymakers, practitioners and stakeholders in their efforts to promote digital development in their respective countries. The tool is not intended to be used as an evaluative statistical tool or an index. Users are encouraged to exercise caution and critical thinking when interpreting the results and to consider the broader socio-cultural, political and economic context of each country's digital development efforts.

Feedback and constructive criticism are welcome to improve the accuracy and usefulness of the Compass. To raise your concerns or reflections regarding the data or results, please contact us via the chatbox.

How the Compass works

The Compass provides a score that assesses a nation’s digital maturity. This is determined by the pillars of UNDP’s Digital Transformation Framework:

Each of these pillars consists of multiple sub-pillars and indicators, which can be mapped to a specific stage of digital transformation. Every stage is then assigned a score, which represents the level of a nation’s digital transformation maturity.

Let's walk through how to navigate the Compass:

Basic
0
Opportunistic
1
Systematic
2
Differentiating
3
5
Transformational
4

Stages of digital readiness by transformation pillar

People

Overall

Stage 1. Basic
Limited exposure: Cultural aversion, minimal tech use.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Limited literacy: Digital gap, basic use.
Stage 3. Systematic
Growing acceptance: Basic literacy, more complex tasks.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Technology embraced: Reduced gap, high literacy.
Stage 5. Transformational
Digital society: No gap, tech ingrained in society.

Skills and Literacy

Stage 1. Basic
Elite: Educated, skilled minority. Digital divide persists.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Private: Basic skills, some schools, company training.
Stage 3. Systematic
Elective: Basic skills widespread, optional school learning.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Cultivated: Schools teach, tech equipped curriculum.
Stage 5. Transformational
Widespread: Universal skills, adult centers, industry shift, integrated education.

Usage and Adoption

Stage 1. Basic
Basic: Tech for leisure, low access and adoption.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Transactional: Moderate use, gaps in access.
Stage 3. Systematic
Intermediate: Complex actions, info access, tech ownership.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Advanced: Complex services, reduced divide.
Stage 5. Transformational
Proficient: Comprehensive, universal access, reduced divide.

Cultural Norms

Stage 1. Basic
Resistant: Low tech adoption, change incentives lacking.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Tolerant: Tech as last resort.
Stage 3. Systematic
Accepting: Trial-error, active use, known channels.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Enthusiastic: Open, innovative, motivated tech adoption.
Stage 5. Transformational
Advocating: Full tech integration, societal reshaping.

Civic Engagement

Stage 1. Basic
Restricted: Tech not for citizen-govt interaction, voice exclusion.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Volunteerism: Tech aids activism, accountability via volunteers.
Stage 3. Systematic
Community: Tech solves local issues, citizen decision influence.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Engaged: Tech shapes decisions, ethics guide communication.
Stage 5. Transformational
Participative: Integrated civic platforms, inclusive discourse, media outlets, encouraged participation.

Digital Public Infrastructure

Overall

Stage 1. Basic
Paper IDs, traditional payments, siloed data.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Basic IDs, early digital payments, limited sharing.
Stage 3. Systematic
Digital IDs, mobile banking, online data sharing.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Integrated IDs, digital wallets, accessible data.
Stage 5. Transformational
Beneficial ID/banking, widespread payments, open data.

Payments

Stage 1. Basic
Traditional: Cash, checks dominate, rare digital payments.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Changing: Digital access, cards, online banking, cashless.
Stage 3. Systematic
Systematic: Prepaid, mobile money, no bank account.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Differentiating: Decoupled payments, digital wallets.
Stage 5. Transformational
Transformational: Widespread digital payments, local currencies.

Identification

Stage 1. Basic
Paper-based: Birth, marriage, land records on paper.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Digitized: Records digital, separate institutions.
Stage 3. Systematic
Digitalized: Machine-readable records, workflows set.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Integrated: Govt-business linked IDs, data protection.
Stage 5. Transformational
Federated: Inclusive system, citizens/businesses/entities.

Data exchange

Stage 1. Basic
Offline: No data exchange, paper-based, no systems.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Siloed: Limited exchange, spreadsheets, PDFs.
Stage 3. Systematic
Online: Central data, info systems, infrastructure.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Accessible: Governance, data use, decision-making.
Stage 5. Transformational
Open: Optimized model, public data, structured API.

Connectivity

Overall

Stage 1. Basic
Outdated connectivity, exclusion risk.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Basic quality, limited access.
Stage 3. Systematic
Growing access, exclusion gaps.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Affordable, open access.
Stage 5. Transformational
Universal broadband, equal access.

Physical Infrastructure

Stage 1. Basic
Outdated: Limited coverage, unreliable infrastructure.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Inaccessible: Basic quality, selective coverage.
Stage 3. Systematic
Rudimentary: Urban-focused high-speed coverage.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Convenient: Extended, reliable, majority covered.
Stage 5. Transformational
Extensive: Universal, high quality, reliable services.

Access Enablers

Stage 1. Basic
Blocked: Systemic barriers exclude at-risk groups.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Restricted: Lower tech access, systemic barriers.
Stage 3. Systematic
Limited: Consistently lower access, ignored differentiation.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Open: Similar access, recognized barriers, free access points.
Stage 5. Transformational
Universal: Equal access, acknowledged barriers, full benefits.

Government

Overall

Stage 1. Basic
Limited: Paper bureaucracy, no funding, ad-hoc tech.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Initiatives in silos, limited support, no strategy.
Stage 3. Systematic
Shared vision, limited funds, strategic planning.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Embedded, administrative integration, emerging tech.
Stage 5. Transformational
Optimized, innovative, legislative backing, data-driven.

Leadership and Strategy

Stage 1. Basic
Reactive: No strategy, no senior support, isolated projects.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Informal: Scattered support, no national framework.
Stage 3. Systematic
Formal: Underdeveloped plan, moderate priority.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Strategic: Inclusive vision, some shared adoption.
Stage 5. Transformational
Visionary: Impactful strategy, top-level support, empowered leaders.

Implementation Capacity and Systems

Stage 1. Basic
Analogue: No skills, outsourcing, no strategy, no budget.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Outsourcing: Few skills, external help, partial strategy.
Stage 3. Systematic
Digital seeds: Growing skills, some insourcing, developing strategy.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Integrated: Widespread skills, central strategy, metrics-driven.
Stage 5. Transformational
Digital by default: Embedded skills, centralized strategy, quantifiable objectives, long-term budget, full Digital Principles integration.

Digital Public Services and Platforms

Stage 1. Basic
Paper-based: No online services, in-person only.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Digitization: Basic digital tools, in-person main.
Stage 3. Systematic
Digitalization: Online transactions, some redesign.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Integrated digitalization: Centralized, redesigned, data-centric.
Stage 5. Transformational
Smart State: Online access, optional in-person, full redesign.

Open government

Stage 1. Basic
Closed: No info sharing, no feedback or evaluation.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Reactionary: Limited sharing, key stakeholder input.
Stage 3. Systematic
Transparent: Regular info sharing, some stakeholder input.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Participatory: Info sharing, broad input, partial KPIs.
Stage 5. Transformational
Collaborative: Open, stakeholder partnership, robust feedback, evaluations.

Regulation

Overall

Stage 1. Basic
Initial stage. Non-digital laws apply.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Formative: Digital laws developing.
Stage 3. Systematic
Established: Substantive digital laws, weak enforcement.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Advanced: Substantive laws, strong enforcement.
Stage 5. Transformational
Dynamic: Strong laws, justice, formal intl. cooperation.

Data Protection

Stage 1. Basic
No recognition: No data protection, access barriers.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Regulate & forget: Ineffective legislation, no enforcement.
Stage 3. Systematic
Recognition: Functional data protection authority, regulation.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Promotion: Key data rights protected, enforced.
Stage 5. Transformational
Dynamic Legal Framework: Enforced tailored regulation, FOI used, accessible government data.

Emerging technologies

Stage 1. Basic
No recognition: Tech not policy consideration.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Regulate & forget: Uniform reg., no impact assessment.
Stage 3. Systematic
Recognition: Discuss need to regulate tech impact.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Promotion: Actively promotes growth, updates.
Stage 5. Transformational
Dynamic Legal Framework: Evolving, outcome-based, feedback loops, soft law mechanisms.

Fair market competition

Stage 1. Basic
No recognition: No IP law, static taxation, telecom monopoly.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Regulate & forget: Outdated IP law, some competition.
Stage 3. Systematic
Recognition: Licensing promotes competition, balanced prices.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Promotion: Adaptive taxation, national IP protection.
Stage 5. Transformational
Dynamic Legal Framework: Anti-monopoly, IP protection, flexible dispute resolution.

Cybersecurity

Stage 1. Basic
No recognition: No cyber crime law, unprotected infrastructure.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Regulate & forget: Developing law, seeking resources.
Stage 3. Systematic
Recognition: Enacted law, limited enforcement.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Promotion: Budget support, growing practice.
Stage 5. Transformational
Dynamic Legal Framework: Comprehensive law, baselines, compliance, international alignment.

Consumer protection

Stage 1. Basic
No recognition: Digital service monopolies.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Regulate & forget: Limited watchdog, partial monopoly.
Stage 3. Systematic
Recognition: Price monitoring, accessibility.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Promotion: Functional watchdog, diverse licenses.
Stage 5. Transformational
Dynamic Legal Framework: Strong watchdog, tailored legislation, price monitoring.

Human Rights

Stage 1. Basic
Not recognized: No digital human rights.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Recognized: No action taken.
Stage 3. Systematic
Regulated: Focus on political rights.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Resourced: Legal resources, intl. standards.
Stage 5. Transformational
Fully protected: Legal, institutional, tech safeguards.

Economy

Overall

Stage 1. Basic
Limited integration: Traditional finance, low tech business.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Growing tech: Digital finance, moderate tech business.
Stage 3. Systematic
Cross-sector collab: Seed financing, wide tech business.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Coordinated digital: Inclusive ecosystems, efficient tech.
Stage 5. Transformational
Digital industry: Responsibility standards, widespread models.

Business

Stage 1. Basic
Adverse: Limited tech adoption, unfavorable conditions.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Developing: Moderate tech, sector-specific conditions.
Stage 3. Systematic
Favorable: Wide tech, improved conditions for all sectors.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Ecosystem formation: Majority use tech, coordinated policies.
Stage 5. Transformational
Ecosystem integration: Tech integrated, cooperative networks.

Financial services

Stage 1. Basic
Emerging: Primarily physical access to financial services.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Developing: Early adopters introduce basic digital services.
Stage 3. Systematic
Strategic: Established digital services, essential for finance.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Market leading: Mature digital financial services, market focus.
Stage 5. Transformational
People leading: Inclusive finance, public-private finance for the vulnerable.

Innovation ecosystem

Stage 1. Basic
Stagnant: Limited graduates, outdated curriculum, lack of engagement.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Emergent: Improved communication, industry-academia ties, updated curriculum.
Stage 3. Systematic
Siloed: Growing collaboration, international recognition.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Interconnected: Extensive engagement, cross-sector collaboration, international events.
Stage 5. Transformational
Dynamic: Thriving ecosystem, comprehensive collaboration, strong IT career path, global ties.

Standards of responsibility

Stage 1. Basic
Unaware: Lack of awareness about ethical standards in digital services.
Stage 2. Opportunistic
Cognizant: Awareness but limited action on ethical standards.
Stage 3. Systematic
Compliant: Minimum ethical compliance, external constraint view.
Stage 4. Differentiating
Practitioner: Accountability, privacy-centric design, transparency.
Stage 5. Transformational
Advocate: Embedded ethics, evolving standards, proactive advocacy.

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, converting them into machine-readable formats. Scripts then normalize the data according to a UN-defined list of countries, regions, sub-regions, income groups and territorial borders. Data are also automatically updated as soon as international organizations release new reports. All code and data are transparent and available as a global resource on GitHub. Visit https://github.com/undp/digital-development-compass to see the latest.

The undp/digital-nation-dashboard GitHub repository