The latest "e-readiness" ranking of the world's largest economies puts the U.S. on top, followed closely by Hong Kong. The annual survey examines the information and communication technology (ICT) of 70 economies, using a model developed by the Economist Intelligence Unit in cooperation with the IBM Institute for Business.
According to the survey, some European countries that had dominated the list slipped over the past year. Denmark, which had topped the rankings for four years, dropped to fifth place. Switzerland, Finland and the United Kingdom also slid. Iran again held the last place.
"The world's most developed digital economies -- and many less developed ones -- continue to record impressive gains in broadening access to ICT and making digital services available to the population," says Robin Bew, Editorial Director of the Economist Intelligence Unit. "It is hard work to maintain this progress, however, and even the leaders have much to do to translate these gains into real economic and social benefits."
The survey also noted that the so-called digital divide between the top and lower tiers continues to narrow, but more slowly than in previous years.
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Previous Leaders Lose Ground in the Economist Intelligence Unit's 2008 e-Readiness Rankings (press release)(US)
E-readiness rankings 2008: Maintaining momentum (PDF)(US)