There are various means to measure the level of ICT capacity and development according to a country’s context. This can be done by measuring subscription and access of the population to ICT. Global efforts have developed indices to measure:

• Networked readiness – an international assessment of countries’ capacity to exploit the opportunities offered by ICTs by looking at the extent of increase in the use of ICT in a specific country and the factors that enable this (World Economic Forum*); and
• E-government readiness – a systemic assessment of how governments use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to provide access and inclusion for all (United Nations*).

Key Economic Indicators20002007ADB (2008)Population (millions)0.220.310.31GDP growth rate (%)8.506.805.7Access20002007DifferenceTelephone lines (per 100 people)9.010.81.8Mobile cellular subscribers (per 100 people)2.8102.799.9Internet subscribers (per 100 people)0.44.03.6Internet users (per 100 people)2.210.81.2Personal computers (per 100 people)3.720.016.3Households with a television set (%)57-(57.0)ICT Development Indicators2006-07
(122)2007-08
(127)2008-09
(134)Networked Readiness Index— 2003
(173)2005
(179)2008
(189)E-Government Readiness Index797795

Sources

• World Bank ICT at a Glance Tables*
• The Networked Readiness Index rankings from the Global Information Technology Report (GITR)
  • 2008-2009*
  • 2007-2008*
  • 2006-2007*
  • Previous reports*
• Global E-Government Survey
  • 2008*
  • 2005*
  • 2003*
  • Previous reports*