Measuring the information society: ICT indicators for development

UNCTAD member States recognize that it is crucial to assess the state of use and impact of ICTs in developing countries. By using comparable and reliable data and indicators on their information societies, Governments can formulate and evaluate policies that will maximize the benefits of ICT for the development of their countries.

At the national level, more and more countries are measuring ICT. UNCTAD helps developing countries find ways to monitor and measure overall digital economy developments and ICT use.

At the international level, the measurement of ICT diffusion and impact is a subject of inter-agency cooperation, notably through the Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development.

The Measuring ICT Website provides information on the development of ICT statistics and indicators worldwide, with an emphasis on supporting ICT policies and the information economies in developing countries.

The objectives of the Measuring ICT Website are to:

• Provide information to experts and the general public on progress in the field of ICT measurement, particularly by National Statistical Offices and international organizations;
• Promote the discussion between practitioners of ICT statistical work on best practices, experiences, methodology, presentations, theory, etc.;
• Contribute to the follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS);
• Support the work of UNCTAD on measuring the information economy, and of the Partnership on Measuring ICT for Development.

Visit the website: http://new.unctad.org/default____575.aspx