As is highlighted in the preface to the analysis, we have only eight years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and at the same time we are now facing major interlinked crises with implications for peace and security, social stability, public health, climate and our fragile ecosystems. Digital tools play an increasingly important role in tackling the above crises as well as accelerating the achievement of goals and ensuring that no-one is left behind and offline in the digital age.

The results show a remarkable improvement in telecommunications infrastructure and human capacity development, and an encouraging improvement in service provision. Nonetheless, major differences between developed and underdeveloped countries still exist, underscoring the persistence of the global digital divide. According to the UN, digital transformation and digital administration encourage progress towards a sustainable future for all, provided there is good management and an inclusive application of digital technology and multistakeholder partnerships.

The definition of e-government used in these measurements is adapted to the UN view and is based on the goals of sustainable development, so the analysis focuses above all on the fields of education, healthcare, social services, employment, the environment, the judiciary, development areas, the economy and industry. Each year, the methodology adapts somewhat to the current trends and requirements, making it difficult to compare results between different years. This year’s improvements encompass a more detailed survey of online services, more in-depth analysis of e-participation, a review of countries’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the expanded analysis of the Local Online Service Index (LOSI) now includes an analysis of the largest cities in each country.

Results

The main performance indicator is the E-Government Development Index (EGDI), which this year places Slovenia in 21st place (23rd in 2020, 37th in 2018, 21st in 2016, 41st in 2014). This index is calculated using the following components:

The Online Service Index (OSI): our ranking this year is 22nd (2020: 24th, 2018: 48th, 2016: 20th, 2014: 80th); the source of data is a study of websites that are relevant in the context of sustainable development goals, while the research areas are listed in the publication on pages 238-240.

The Human Capital Index (HCI): our ranking this year is 12th place (2020: 14th, 2018: 13th, 2016: 11th, 2014: 11th); the source of data is UNESCO (adult literacy, gross enrolment ratio, expected years of schooling, mean years of schooling).

The Telecommunication Infrastructure Index (TII): our ranking this year is 40th (2020: 46th, 2018: 44th, 2016: 43rd, 2014: 38th); the source of data is the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) (percentage of Internet users, active mobile-cellular subscriptions, mobile-broadband subscriptions, fixed broadband subscriptions).

The E-Participation Index (EPI) is also measured using a special indicator, which this year puts Slovenia in 25th place (29th in 2020, 49th in 2018, 38th in 2016, 89th in 2014). The source of data is a study of websites, and the following factors are important: functionality for informing citizens (promoting cooperation with data and public information), consultation (for better services and policies) and joint decision-making (policy co-design, service co-production, co-delivery).

About the Survey and its Methodology

Since 2001, when it was first undertaken by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the survey has become an indispensable tool for digital policy makers, analysts and researchers, for classifying, reviewing, measuring and comparing e-government analyses. The survey evaluates the global and regional development in e-government with the help of a comparative evaluation of national government websites. Its purpose is to review trends in different countries and to measure the e-government performance of countries relative to one another in the context of realising sustainable development goals.

The survey monitors progress in e-government development with the help of the United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI). The EGDI, which estimates e-government development on a national level, is a composite index based on the weighted average of three normalised indices. One third consists of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index (TTI), the second third is made up of the Human Capital Index (HCI), and the final third is represented by the Online Services Index (OSI). The OSI index is based on data gathered by the UNDESA with the help of a special online services questionnaire (OSQ), and it assesses the national online presentations of all 193 UN Member States. It is also supplemented by a questionnaire that is filled out for the Member States (MSQ). The survey also includes the E-Participation Index (EPI), which focuses on governments’ use of online services for the "e-exchange of information", "e-consultations" and “e-decision-making", and the Local Online Services Index (LOSI), which assesses progress in the development of local e-government via city websites.