The Fletcher School at Tufts University in Massachusetts, in partnership with Mastercard, has named the UAE as a ‘digital elite’ in the Digital Evolution Index 2017.
The comprehensive research tracks the progress that countries have made in developing their digital economies and integrating connectivity into the lives of billions.
With nearly half of the world’s population online, the research maps the development of 60 countries, demonstrating their competitiveness and market potential for further digital economic growth. The index measures four key drivers and 170 unique indicators to chart each country’s respective course, including supply (or internet access and infrastructure), consumer demand for digital technologies, institutional environment (government policies/laws and resources) and innovation (investments into R&D and digital start-ups etc.).
The research identifies the UAE along with Singapore, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Estonia, Hong Kong and Japan as ‘stand out’ markets, characterised by high levels of digital development and a fast rate of digital evolution.
Combining the pace and state of digital advancement, the research puts the UAE as a state demonstrating high levels of digital development, while continuing to lead in innovation and new growth.
