Global Digital Divide Index 2011:

Longitudinal Analysis and Changes in the ICT Leaders Worldwide.

Abstract

The global digital inequality is a new phenomenon and the longitudinal research on the topic is scarce. Using the global digital divide index (GDDI), we find that changes have occurred among the leaders of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the last years of the 00s. The data was gathered at two separate points of time-in 2009 (63 countries) and 2011 (65 countries). Both indices have 59 countries in common. This allowed to assess the vicissitudes within the leading group. We find that English-speaking countries have lost their leading positions, while European, especially Scandinavian, countries are solidly leading the world.