Digital Divide Shrinking

According to a study conducted by IBM and “The Economist” magazine, although the digital divide remains considerable for some countries, the gaps are shrinking. The study assessed both availability and use of technology in 68 countries and assigned each an “e-readiness” score on a scale of 1 to 10. The gap from the top of the list (Denmark, 9.00) to the bottom (Azerbaijan, 2.92) is indeed significant, but in certain regions of China and India, connectivity rivals that of developed nations, according to Peter Korsten, European director at IBM’s Institute for Business Value. The study noted that nearly every country’s score improved from last year but that countries nearer the bottom of the list saw greater gains than those in the upper tiers, indicating a shrinking digital divide overall. Beyond the issue of connectivity lies the question of what efforts each country makes to use technology. As Korsten said, “It’s up to governments to take advantage with education and other initiatives.”

CNET, 26 April 2006