OECD Digital Economy and Society Outlook 2026

Chapter 1. Digital priorities, policies and governance

Abstract

Using newly collected data from OECD Member countries and partner economies and the OECD Going Digital Integrated Policy Framework 2026 as a guide, this chapter examines trends in digital policy priorities. It finds that while digital government has consistently been the top digital policy priority over the past decade, cybersecurity and technology development became more important in 2025. It also analyses national digital strategies in the countries in which they exist and the governance approaches in place to design, implement and monitor them. The data show that responsibility for developing and co-ordinating national digital strategies is increasingly led by dedicated digital ministries rather than at the centre of government. Finally, the chapter explores the broader digital policy landscape. It shows that technology-neutral policymaking is giving way to technology-specific digital policies, and that most digital policies today aim at increasing effective use, unleashing digital innovation, and societal issues.

 

Key findings

Digital government remains the top digital policy priority, with growing focus on cybersecurity and technology development

• Connectivity, skills, cybersecurity and technology development were regularly ranked in the top five of countries’ digital policy priorities from 2016 to 2025. As of 2025, cybersecurity emerged as the second highest digital priority among the OECD Member countries and partner economies surveyed.

• Over the past decade, digital government has consistently ranked as the top digital policy priority in the OECD Member countries and partner economies for which comparable data exist.

Responsibility for developing and co-ordinating national digital strategies is increasingly led by dedicated digital ministries rather than at the centre of government

• The share of OECD Member countries and partner economies that assign primary responsibility for developing their national digital strategy to dedicated digital ministries reached 60% in 2025, up from just 24% in 2016. Of these countries, 68% also assign co-ordination tasks to a dedicated digital ministry or body.

• In parallel, the share of national digital strategies developed at above ministerial level (such as the Prime Minister’s Office, Presidency or Chancellery) declined from 42% in 2023 to 26% in 2025.

The digital policy landscape is characterised by initiatives that aim to increase effective use and unleash digital innovation, as well as societal issues

• Among the almost 1 500 policy initiatives collected across 42 OECD Member countries and partner economies in 2025, about 40% focus on effective use of digital technologies, 30% on digital innovation and 28% on societal issues.

• Skills is the most prominent policy domain in the digital policy landscape, with initiatives concentrated on improving information and communication technology skills across demographic groups.

Technology-neutral policymaking is giving way to technology-specific digital policies

• “Artificial intelligence” is the most oft-cited term in digital policies over 2023-2025, reflecting the ubiquity of the technology and its importance to policymakers.

• As of 2023, quantum technologies, semiconductors and satellites have become more prominent in digital policy initiatives. This is exemplified by the emergence of dedicated semiconductor strategies and an increasing focus on quantum computing, communications and sensing, and low earth orbit satellites.

Introduction

Digital technologies and data shape how individuals, businesses and governments live, work, communicate and access services. As digital transformation accelerates across sectors, addressing digital policy issues across silos has become essential to ensure coherent and effective policy responses that maximise the opportunities of digital technologies while managing risks. In this context, greater understanding of the digital policy landscape across countries provides critical insights for effective policymaking.

The OECD Going Digital Integrated Policy Framework 2026 (hereafter “the Framework”) (OECD, 2026_[1]), provides a flexible, whole-of-government approach to developing digital policies (Annex 1.A). Using the Framework as a guide, this chapter is informed by responses to the OECD Digital Economy and Society Outlook (DESO) 2026 data collection. It examines trends in digital policy priorities across countries; analyses national digital strategies in the countries for which they exist and the governance approaches in place to design, implement and monitor them; and explores the broader digital policy landscape across countries.

Box 1.1. Surveying digital policies yields valuable insights, but qualitative surveys come with caveats

The analysis in this chapter is based on the three parts of the DESO 2026 data collection: national digital strategies1 (see Annex 1.B) and their governance arrangements; digital policy priorities (Annex 1.C); and digital policy initiatives (excluding national digital strategies). The latter part includes information on the following special topics: children in digital environments; media and digital literacy initiatives; and policies to support older adults in the digital age.

References to “countries” in this chapter reflect the OECD Member countries and partner economies that responded to data collections for the OECD Digital Economy Outlook (DEO) 2017, 2020 and 2024. New data from the DESO 2026 data collection appear in three parts. Part 1 reflects data from 42 countries on national digital strategies and governance arrangements, 7 of which reported having no strategy. Part 2 comprises data from the same countries on their digital policy priorities, 16 of which provided no priority ranking and 4 of which provided incomplete data. Part 3 comprises information from 42 countries on major digital policies, including the special focus topics.

The DESO 2026 data collection was administered to OECD Member countries and partner economies that are actively involved in the work of the OECD Digital Policy Committee, the OECD’s lead digital policy and measurement body. Not every country responded to each part of the data collection; a full list of countries covered for each part can be found in the Annex 1.D.

Policy survey data provide comparable insights on countries’ policymaking approaches and enable the categorisation and quantification of information, but the data come with important caveats. For example, the data emphasise the number of policy initiatives rather than their actual impact, offering a view of what exists rather than how well it works. In addition, the responses are typically shaped by the perspectives of the policymakers completing the surveys, who may interpret questions differently. Since there is no agreed definition of “digital policy” across and within countries, it is unlikely that such surveys capture all relevant initiatives.

Note: The country coverage for each part of the 2017, 2020, 2024 and 2026 data collections can be found in Annex 1.D.

1. The national digital strategy list provided in Annex 1.B is based on the DESO 2026 data collection and desk research.

Digital government remains the top digital policy priority, with growing focus on cybersecurity and technology development

Since 2016, digital government has been identified as governments’ top digital policy priority (Table 1.1). This reflects the recognition that digital technologies are essential to improving public service delivery, strengthening trust in government and enhancing policy effectiveness. Governments are increasingly investing in digital technologies and data to make services more user-centric, data-driven and accessible, while also improving administrative efficiency and resilience.

Table 1.1. Digital policy priorities are becoming more diverse, but some have demonstrated strong continuity over time

Policy priority	2016 (ranking)	2019 (ranking)	2023 (number)	2025 (ranking)
Digital government	1	1	1	1
Cybersecurity	4	5	5	2
Skills	3	4	3	3
Technology development and diffusion	6	7	4	3
Connectivity	2	2	2	3

Notes: The rankings are based on self-reported priorities from 35 countries for 2016, 33 countries for 2019 and 42 countries for 2023 and 2025. Please refer to Annex 1.C for definitions of the policy priorities in the DESO 2026 data collection.

1. Tied for third priority.

Source: OECD, based on data collections for the DEO 2017, 2020 and 2024 and the DESO 2026.

In 2025, cybersecurity emerged as the second most important digital policy priority across countries for the first time in the ten years these data have been collected. This move reflects a recognition by governments of the need to protect critical infrastructure, public services, economic activity and citizens from an increasingly complex and evolving threat landscape. The rise of cybersecurity in digital policy agendas suggests that policymakers are increasingly concerned about the risks associated with cyber incidents, including financial and reputational damage, and potential disruptions to critical activities.

Technology development and diffusion also moved to its highest position in 2025 – tied for third position with connectivity and skills.1 Policymakers increasingly recognise that targeted investment in digital research and development, alongside the availability of key enabling resources such as data, capital, digital infrastructure and digital skills, is critical. Together, they strengthen national technological capabilities and accelerate adoption of digital technologies by individuals and businesses to support productivity, competitiveness, innovation and economic growth.

The 2025 ranking of digital policy priorities suggests that the top priorities across countries are becoming more diverse. A relatively smaller number of top priorities were identified in 2016, 2019 and 2023, but three priorities in 2025 were tied for third place (connectivity, skills, and technology development and diffusion). At the same time, some top priorities have been relatively constant over the last decade – digital government, connectivity and skills have remained at the top of the priority list. This indicates strong continuity with previous years despite the fast-changing digital technology landscape.

Four of the five countries from the Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) region that responded to the DESO 2026 data collection ranked “digital inclusion” as one of their top three digital policy priorities. The strong emphasis on this priority suggests that enhancing participation in digital economies and societies across a range of characteristics, such as age, education level, firm size, geography, income level or sex, is considered a foundational step for advancing the region’s digital development. Moreover, these five LAC countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Costa Rica) all include references to “digital inclusion” in their national digital strategies, either underpinned by the need to increase access to connectivity services and infrastructure or to promote skills development among the population.

In addition to identifying the top digital policy priorities for the next five years reported by countries, examination of existing policies can also provide insight into national priorities. Using a text-mining approach, the 30 most frequently occurring bigrams (or clusters of two words) were extracted from the policy initiatives submitted in response to the DESO 2026 data collection (Figure 1.1).

Figure 1.1. Artificial intelligence is the most oft-mentioned term in digital policy initiatives, with skills being the most prominent policy domain

Top bigrams (clusters of two words) extracted from policy initiative descriptions across all dimensions, 2025

Notes: Data are based on survey responses from 42 countries. Each term was counted a maximum of once per policy initiative submitted.

Source: OECD based on the DESO 2026 data collection.

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Notably, “artificial intelligence” has overtaken “digital transformation” as the most oft-cited bigram in the digital policy descriptions collected over 2023-2025. This reflects the ubiquity of the technology and its importance to policymakers and further confirms a move away from technology-neutral policymaking. This approach also highlights other priorities. For example, the word “resilience” features in several prominent bigrams, highlighting focus on the resilience of critical digital infrastructure and related recovery plans. Other issues that emerge as important include those related to data protection, cybersecurity, innovation and media literacy.

At the same time, the findings reflected in Figure 1.1 are mirrored in the top self-reported priorities of countries for the next five years identified in Table 1.1. The word “public” is included in four of the most mentioned bigrams, underscoring the importance of the public sector and digital government initiatives in current digital policy initiatives. Skills, which decreased somewhat in importance among top-ranked policy priorities in 2025, is nonetheless the major policy domain reflected in Figure 1.1.

National digital strategies are increasingly developed by bodies dedicated to digital affairs

A national digital strategy (NDS) is understood as the government’s most comprehensive digital strategy at the national level that exclusively or primarily addresses digital policy issues across policy domains affected by or affecting digital transformation (Gierten and Lesher, 2022_[2]). Today, most OECD Member countries have an NDS in place to guide and co-ordinate their national digital policies and provide key objectives and measurable targets.

Effective governance is central to the success of national digital strategies. As governments around the world continue to design and refine their approaches to digital transformation, understanding how these strategies are developed, co-ordinated, implemented, monitored and evaluated is increasingly important.

In 2016, only 24% of the countries that responded to the DEO 2017 data collection assigned bodies dedicated to digital affairs with the development of their NDS (OECD, 2017_[3]). Almost a decade later, in 2025, that share rose to 60% (Figure 1.2). This trend suggests that countries place growing value on specialist knowledge, concentrating the development of their national digital strategies in a single dedicated entity that can also help bring greater coherence to the government’s digital portfolio. This trend likewise reflects the recognition of digital policy as a dedicated policy domain that needs to be institutionalised.

Between 2016 and 2023, as the share of countries that allocated the responsibility of developing their national digital strategies to bodies dedicated to digital affairs grew, so did the percentage that opted for oversight at the highest levels of government. Over this period, the share of governments assigning primary responsibility for their NDS to the highest levels of central government (such as the Prime Minister’s Office, Presidency, or Chancellery) rose markedly — from 12% in 2016 to 42% in 2023. By 2025, however, this share had dropped significantly, with only 26% of respondents reporting that their NDS was developed at the Prime Minister, Presidency or Chancellery level (Figure 1.2) although the share of countries that allocated the responsibility of developing their national digital strategies to bodies dedicated to digital affairs continued to rise.

The share of respondents whose NDS is primarily developed by a ministry or body not dedicated to digital affairs continued to fall steadily – from 44% in 2016 to 3% in 2025. Similarly, while multiple ministries or bodies developed 18% of strategies in 2016, only 11% of countries chose this approach in 2025 (Figure 1.2).

Figure 1.2. National digital strategies are increasingly developed by dedicated digital ministries rather than at high level and at the centre of government

Responsibility for lead strategy development of national digital strategies across countries, 2016-2025

Notes: Data for survey responses are based on the following: 38 countries for 2016, 2019 and 2024, and 35 countries for 2026.

Source: OECD calculations based on data collections for the DEO 2017, 2020 and 2024 and the DESO 2026.

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Since the DEO data collection started in 2016, responsibility for the co-ordination of national digital strategies has been increasingly allocated to bodies or ministries dedicated to digital affairs. In 2025, 68% of countries had a dedicated digital ministry or body co-ordinating their NDS (Table 1.2), compared to 30% in 2016. The share of countries allocating co-ordination to a ministry or body not dedicated to digital affairs continued to decline – from 39% in 2016 to 3% in 2025. In 2025, the share of countries that co-ordinated their NDS at above ministerial level (18%) remained relatively constant compared to 2016 (15%). Regarding the implementation of their national digital strategies, most countries (57%) delegated the responsibility to several ministries or bodies.

Table 1.2. Allocation of NDS responsibility by country

2025	Prime Minister’s Office, Presidency or Chancellery	Ministry or body dedicated to digital affairs	Ministry or body not dedicated to digital affairs	Several ministries or bodies
Lead strategy development	Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Peru, Switzerland	Argentina, Bulgaria, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom	Chile	Colombia, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands
Co-ordination	Austria, Brazil, Ireland, Korea, Peru, Switzerland	Argentina, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czechia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Latvia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, the United Kingdom	Chile	Colombia, Denmark, Luxembourg, Sweden

Notes: NDS = National digital strategy. Indonesia did not provide a response on its NDS co-ordination governance arrangement.

Source: OECD based on the DESO 2026 data collection.

To track progress towards the policy objectives and priorities of national digital strategies, regular monitoring and evaluation are essential. All respondents to the DESO 2026 data collection indicated their NDS is monitored, except for Argentina. More than eight in ten (83%) countries use quantitative targets to monitor their NDS. Meanwhile, 5 of 35 countries (Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica and Denmark) reported that their NDS is not evaluated (Figure 1.3).

Figure 1.3. Almost all countries monitor their national digital strategies and most countries evaluate them

Monitoring and evaluation of national digital strategies, 2025

Notes: NDS = National digital strategy. The data are based on survey responses from 35 countries.

Source: OECD calculations based on the DESO 2026 data collection.

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Mapping the national digital policy landscape beyond national digital strategies

The third and final stage in mapping the digital policy landscape entails a comprehensive examination of all policy initiatives implemented within a given country. This stage is particularly important for countries that do not develop an NDS, as they often rely on multiple sector-specific strategies and a diverse array of complementary policies that collectively define their national digital policy landscape. Most countries with an NDS also have digital policies that pre-date, are more recent or may otherwise be outside the scope of their current NDS. This section analyses the broader digital policy landscape across countries through the lens of the Framework.

Figure 1.4 provides an overview of the digital policy initiatives provided by 42 countries and mapped to the Framework. The digital policy landscape among the countries covered is predominantly aimed at increasing effective use, unleashing digital innovation, and societal issues. Given the importance of skills and digital government in the Use, Innovation and Society policy dimensions in the Framework, it follows that these policy domains are well covered in digital policy initiatives in force (Figure 1.4). Together, policy initiatives in the Use, Innovation and Society dimensions represent around 70% of all initiatives across countries.

Digital policy initiatives in other dimensions, such as Access and Trust, may reflect broader strategies. Broadband Plans (Access) and Cybersecurity Strategies (Trust), for example, are among the earliest types of digital policy initiatives, and are often comprehensive. Including many aspects of broadband connectivity and cybersecurity in a dedicated strategy may alleviate the need for many smaller strategies, thus decreasing the overall number of initiatives in these dimensions.

Figure 1.4. Policy initiatives aim at increasing effective use, unleashing digital innovation, and societal issues dominate the digital policy landscape

Distribution of digital policy initiatives across Framework dimensions, 2025

Notes: Data are based on survey responses from 42 countries and comprise 1 497 policy initiatives. Data are presented as the share of the total number of policies in each dimension. Some initiatives are considered under multiple policy dimensions based on their scope, so the individual bars do not add up to 100%.

Source: OECD calculations based on the DESO 2026 data collection.

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While cross-country patterns reveal valuable insights, a nuanced understanding also requires in-depth examination of individual countries. Figure 1.5 maps the digital policies for the 42 countries that provided data on a critical mass of initiatives (i.e. countries that provided at least one initiative in at least three of the Framework’s seven dimensions).

Figure 1.5. Beyond national digital strategies, the policy landscape differs across countries

Distribution of digital policy initiatives, by Framework dimension, 2025

 

 

 

Notes: Some policy initiatives are considered under multiple policy dimensions based on their scope. Therefore, adding up the numbers of initiatives by Framework dimension does not necessarily equal the total number of policy initiatives collected per country.

Source: OECD calculations based on the DESO 2026 data collection.

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These charts highlight marked differences across countries in the number of reported policies and in how comprehensively these policies cover all dimensions of the Framework. Some countries, such as Greece, Korea and Sweden, have many initiatives in a few dimensions. In contrast, Japan and Switzerland report fewer policy initiatives but cover the Framework more comprehensively. This analysis only considers the number of measures submitted for each dimension of the Framework. Therefore, it should not be considered as an assessment of the quality of each country’s digital policy landscape.

AI remains the dominant digital technology in digital policy initiatives

Digital transformation policies have become more targeted. Such policies used to be largely technology-neutral, emphasising broad objectives such as promoting business digitisation and enhancing digital skills. However, certain technologies – most notably AI – have prompted governments to adopt more targeted, technology-specific policy responses. This tendency is particularly evident in the case of emerging technologies whose societal implications remain only partially understood or not yet fully assessed. For this analysis, data on digital policy initiatives were parsed through a custom dictionary to determine which of the most prominent digital technologies appeared most frequently in 2025 (Figure 1.6).

Figure 1.6. Among digital technologies, AI, cloud computing and 5G dominate the digital policy landscape

Digital technologies and related terms cited in policy initiatives, 2025

Notes: Data are based on survey responses from 42 countries. The figure shows occurrences of selected terms from the custom dictionary. “Artificial intelligence” also includes occurrences of “AI”. “IoT” also includes occurrences of “Internet of Things”. “VR” also includes occurrences of “immersive technologies”, “metaverse” and “virtual reality”. “Cloud computing” includes all occurrences of the term “cloud”. “Quantum technologies” includes all occurrences of the term “quantum”.

Source: OECD calculations based on the DESO 2026 data collection.

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The predominance of AI – which has even grown since a similar analysis in 2023 – indicates its centrality in national and international digital policy agendas, reflecting widespread recognition of its transformative economic and societal impacts (OECD, 2024_[4]). Fifth generation of wireless cellular technology (5G) and cloud computing also feature prominently, underscoring their foundational role in supporting digital infrastructure and connectivity. At the same time, quantum technologies, semiconductors and satellites are becoming more prominent than they were in 2023. This is especially the case due to the emergence of dedicated semiconductor strategies and the proliferation of low earth orbit satellites to increase connectivity in sparsely populated areas.

In contrast, technologies such as the IoT and blockchain were explicitly mentioned in digital policy initiatives less often in 2025 than they were in 2023, suggesting a less dedicated policy focus. The small increase in references to sixth generation of wireless cellular technology (6G) could imply that countries are still moving to standalone 5G before moving on to 6G as a strategic focus. Attention on immersive technologies, like virtual reality, has remained relatively small, and it could reflect bottlenecks associated with adopting such technologies (OECD, 2024_[5]) or perhaps a desire by firms and governments to concentrate on other technologies, such as AI.

Conclusion

Rapid technological changes have resulted in a shift from technology-neutral digital policymaking to more technology-specific digital policies. This chapter shows that “artificial intelligence” is the most oft-cited term in digital policies over 2023-2025, reflecting the ubiquity of the technology and its importance. At the same time, quantum technologies, semiconductors and satellites are becoming more prominent in digital policy initiatives than they were in 2023, particularly with the emergence of dedicated semiconductor strategies and increasing focus on low earth orbit satellites.

Despite rapid technological change, digital government has consistently ranked as the top digital policy priority over the past decade. Over this period, the same policy priorities have consistently been ranked among the top five – digital government, connectivity, skills, cybersecurity and technology development. In 2025, the most recent year for which data were collected, cybersecurity reached its highest position (second place) in the past decade, and technology development also rose to its highest position (a three-way tie for third with connectivity and skills).

Since 2016, governance of digital policies has moved increasingly towards development of national digital strategies as a cornerstone of the digital policy landscape of many countries. The development of such strategies is increasingly led by dedicated digital ministries rather than at the centre of government. In 2025, most digital policies aimed at increasing effective use, unleashing digital innovation, and societal issues. Among the policy domains included in the Framework, skills is the most prominent domain in the digital policy landscape, with initiatives concentrated on improving ICT skills across demographic groups.

Annex 1.A. The Going Digital Integrated Policy Framework 2026

Digital transformation affects almost all aspects of the economy and society, and designing effective digital policies requires a whole-of-government effort. While the effects of digital technologies and data differ depending on national context and culture, it is a global challenge to navigate the digital transition effectively and ensure it both protects and enhances well-being and growth. In this respect, the OECD developed the Going Digital Integrated Policy Framework in 2019 and revised it in 2026 (OECD, 2026_[1]). The Framework aims to help countries build a more inclusive and prosperous digital future with effective, impactful and evidence-based digital policies.

The Framework consists of seven interrelated policy dimensions (Access, Use, Innovation, Jobs, Society, Trust and Market openness), each of which contain several policy domains (Figure 1.A.1). Growth and well-being are at its heart, and several transversal domains (investment, digital government, skills, small and medium-sized enterprises, tax and benefits, regional development, privacy and security) cut across multiple dimensions. Some domains, such as data and data governance, are relevant for all dimensions.

Figure 1.A.1. The Going Digital Integrated Policy Framework 2026

Source: OECD (2026_[1]), The OECD Going Digital Integrated Policy Framework 2026, https://doi.org/10.1787/0254ae07-en.

Recognising the evolving nature of technology, the Framework has remained relatively flexible to accommodate changes in the digital technology landscape. It further provides guidance on the governance of digital policies to ensure coherence and co-ordination of policies across all domains and sectors that shape digital transformation, and how to involve all relevant stakeholders in the development and implementation of digital policies.

Annex 1.B. National digital strategies

Table 1.B.1. National digital strategies in force, 2025

Country	National digital strategy
Argentina	Agenda Digital Argentina (2018) https://servicios.infoleg.gob.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/315000-319999/318677/res138.pdf
Austria	Digital Austria (2021) https://www.digitalaustria.gv.at
Brazil	Estratégia Brasileira para a Transformação Digital (E-Digital) (2022) https://www.gov.br/mcti/pt-br/acompanhe-o-mcti/transformacaodigital/arquivosestrategiadigital/e-digital_ciclo_2022-2026.pdf
Bulgaria	Digital transformation of Bulgaria for the period 2020-2030, (2020) https://www.mtc.government.bg/sites/default/files/digital_transformation_of_bulgaria_for_the_period_2020-2030_f.pdf
Canada	Canada’s Digital Charter (2019) https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/innovation-better-canada/en/canadas-digital-charter-trust-digital-world
Chile	Chile Digital 2035 Strategy (2025) https://wikiguias.digital.gob.cl/Estrategias/Estrategia-2030
Colombia	National Digital Strategy of Colombia 2023-2026 (2023) https://colaboracion.dnp.gov.co/CDT/Desarrollo%20Digital/EVENTOS/END_Colombia_2023_2026.pdf
Costa Rica	Digital Transformation Strategy 2023-2027 (2023) https://www.micitt.go.cr/sites/default/files/GobernanzaDigital/ETD%202023-2027%20V%20FINAL%2030-08-2023_v2.pdf
Croatia	Digital Croatia Strategy for the period until 2032 (2022) https://rdd.gov.hr/UserDocsImages//SDURDD-dokumenti//Strategija_Digitalne_Hrvatske_final_v1_EN.pdf
Czechia	Digital Czech Republic v. 2.0 (2013) https://www.czechia.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Digital-Czech-Republic-v.-2.0.pdf
Denmark	Denmark’s Digitalisation Strategy (2024) https://digmin.dk/Media/638357207253210400/SVM%20regeringen_Danmarks%20digitaliseringsstrategi_2023_V9_Online_Final%20(1)-a.pdf
Estonia	Estonia’s Digital Agenda 2030 (2021) https://mkm.ee/media/6970/download
Finland	Finland’s Digital Compass (2022) https://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/164472/VN_2022_72.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Hungary	National Digitalisation Strategy 2022-2030 (2022) https://kormany.hu/dokumentumtar/nemzeti-digitalizacios-strategia-2022-2030
Indonesia	Visi Indonesia Digital (VID) 2045 (2023) https://digital2045.id/bukuvid2045/
Ireland	Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework (2021) https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=’https:’//assets.gov.ie/214584/fa3161da-aa9d-4b11-b160-9cac3a6f6148.pdf#page=null
Israel	Israel Updated National Digital Strategy 2025-2029 (2025) https://harhayeda.gov.il/en/national-digital-strategy/
Italy	Italia digitale 2026 (2022) https://assets.innovazione.gov.it/1665677773-italia-digitale-2026.pdf
Japan	Priority Policy Program for Realizing Digital Society (2025) https://www.digital.go.jp/assets/contents/node/basic_page/field_ref_resources/5ecac8cc-50f1-4168-b989-2bcaabffe870/173b3039/20250613_policies_priority_outline_08.pdf
Korea	The Digital Strategy of Korea (2022) https://www.msit.go.kr/eng/bbs/view.do?sCode=eng&mId=4&mPid=2&bbsSeqNo=42&nttSeqNo=742
Latvia	Digital Transformation Guidelines for 2021-2027 (2021) https://likumi.lv/ta/id/324715-par-digitalas-transformacijas-pamatnostadnem-20212027-gadam
Luxembourg	Accelerating digital sovereignty 2030 with 3 pillars: AI, Data, Quantum (2025) https://gouvernement.lu/en/dossiers.gouv2024_smc+en+dossiers+strategy-ads2030+strategy-ads2030.html
Mexico	2025-2030 Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Sectoral Program (2025) https://dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5755162&fecha=15/04/2025#gsc.tab=0
Netherlands	Digital Economy Strategy (2022) https://www.nederlanddigitaal.nl/documenten/2023/07/11/digital-economy-strategy
New Zealand	The Digital Strategy for Aotearoa (2022) www.digital.govt.nz/assets/Digital-government/Strategy/Digital-Strategy-for-Aotearoa-English-PDF.pdf
Norway	The Digital Norway of the future (2024) https://www.regjeringen.no/contentassets/c499c3b6c93740bd989c43d886f65924/en-gb/pdfs/digitaliseringsstrategi_eng.pdf
Peru	National Digital Transformation Policy to 2030 (2023) https://www.gob.pe/institucion/pcm/normas-legales/4471543-085-2023-pcm
Portugal	The National Digital Strategy – The key to simplification (2024) https://bo.digital.gov.pt/api/assets/etic/84a2d288-a508-4992-8e0c-ae9d3baa7050/ and Action Plan https://bo.digital.gov.pt/api/assets/etic/82a2ef4e-bbfa-447f-bfa7-3ade154dab13
Slovak Republic	Slovakia 2030 Digital Transformation Strategy (2019) https://mirri.gov.sk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SDT-English-Version-FINAL.pdf
Slovenia	Digital Slovenia 2030 (2023) https://nio.gov.si/nio/asset/strategija+digitalna+slovenija+2030?lang=en
Spain	Digital Spain 2026 (2022) https://espanadigital.gob.es/sites/espanadigital/files/2022-08/Digital%20Spain%202026.pdf
Sweden	Sveriges digitaliseringsstrategi 2025-2030 (2025) https://www.regeringen.se/regeringens-politik/digitaliseringsstrategin-2025-2030
Switzerland	Digital Switzerland Strategy (2025) https://digital.swiss
Thailand	National Digital Economy and Society Development Policy and Plan (2018) https://ndec.onde.go.th/?page_id=2607
United Kingdom	UK Digital Strategy (2022) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uks-digital-strategy/uk-digital-strategy

Annex 1.C. Digital policy priorities

Table 1.C.1. Digital policy priorities as defined in the DESO 2026 data collection

Priorities	Explanatory note
Communication infrastructure and services	Improving connectivity by promoting the deployment of relevant infrastructure and services. This includes direct government-funded deployment of communications infrastructure and initiatives to incentivise and aid the deployment of private-sector fixed and wireless networks. Example policy initiatives include national broadband plans, spectrum licensing and auctions, and reforms to planning and highway access regulations with the aim of facilitating the deployment of networks.
Consumer protection	Protecting consumers in online environments and e-commerce and implementing measures to increase the safety of electronic products. This includes actions to protect the online consumer information ecosystem such as by tackling fake reviews and unethical advertising practices. Example policy initiatives include consumer protection policies, minimum standards for connected devices (e.g. safety and security by design initiatives), and information and awareness campaigns designed to protect consumers from dark commercial patterns.
Cybersecurity	Improving cybersecurity for all by increasing cyber capabilities, capacities and awareness and management of risks online. This includes efforts to detect and counter threats, measures to disseminate and promote effective cyber hygiene among individuals and businesses, and cyber threat warning systems. Example policy initiatives include cybersecurity strategies, skills and training programmes specialising in security skills, and efforts to establish dedicated cybersecurity advisory bodies and awareness programmes.
Data flows and governance	Enhancing access to and sharing of data across the economy, and across borders, by creating environments that reinforce trust, stimulate investment in and sharing of data, and foster the effective and responsible use of data across society. This includes both cross-border and domestic measures, as well as initiatives designed to facilitate increased innovation with data and data-based technologies while reducing the risk of harm. Example policy initiatives include those to foster data free flow with trust, national data strategies, and regulatory sandboxes related to the use of data and digital technologies.
Digital government	Enhancing public services through increased digitalisation. This includes efforts to migrate and harmonise services online in central and local governments and to increase the knowledge and use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence within the public sector. Example policy initiatives include public sector digital transformation strategies, policies to promote the availability and use of open government data and digital identities, and digital public infrastructure initiatives.
Digital inclusion	Seeking to reduce divides in the access and use of digital technologies and the Internet across a range of characteristics, such as age, education level, firm size, geography, income level or sex. Just as divides in access and use are multi-faceted, so too are the policy responses to them. Example policy initiatives include targeted training programmes, vouchers or subsidy schemes, and sectoral or SME strategies.
Environment	Reducing the environmental impact of digital transformation and using digital technologies to mitigate the effects of and adapt to climate change. This includes issues such as e-waste and the power supply to data centres, as well as efforts to boost the cleantech ecosystem. Example policy initiatives include e-waste recycling schemes, data centre strategies and energy strategies.
Online safety	Protecting people and firms from societal and economic harms online. This includes action to eliminate the spread of terrorist and violent extremism content and child sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as combatting mis- and dis-information content. Example policy initiatives include online safety legislation and the expansion of regulatory purviews to consider the issue of online safety.
Privacy and data protection	Empowering citizens and businesses to have more control over their own data and greater accountability for the data they store and process. This includes facilitating and promoting the adoption of privacy enhancing technologies. Example policy initiatives include national data strategies, the establishment and expansion of regulatory bodies dedicated to data privacy and protection, and awareness campaigns designed to improve data protection practices among people and businesses.
Skills	Providing the right mix of skills so that people and businesses can thrive in a digital world. This includes foundational skills (such as science, reading and maths), basic and specialist ICT skills (from basic software use to coding), and complementary skills (such as critical thinking, empathy and teamwork). Example policy initiatives include skills strategies at the national and local level, revised curricula, and initiatives designed to promote training and retraining by firms.
Technology development and diffusion	Targeted focus on the development and diffusion of one or several particular technologies, such as AI or quantum computing. This includes directed research and development (R&D) and the provision of the required resources (data, capital, skills) to significantly increase national capabilities in a particular technology and usage of this technology by people and businesses. Example policy initiatives include AI strategies, quantum computing strategies or R&D strategies.

Annex 1.D. Country coverage

1. OECD Member countries at the time that responded to the DEO 2017 questionnaire comprise: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States. Partner economies that responded comprise: Brazil, the People’s Republic of China, Costa Rica, Lithuania, the Russian Federation and Singapore.

2. OECD Member countries at the time that responded to the DEO 2020 questionnaire on national digital strategies and policies comprise: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States. Partner economies that responded comprise: Brazil, Costa Rica, the Russian Federation, Singapore and Thailand.

3. OECD Member countries that responded to Part I of the DEO 2024 questionnaire on digital policy priorities comprise: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom. Partner economies that responded comprise: Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Jordan, Peru, Romania, Singapore and Thailand.

OECD Member countries that responded to Part I of the DEO 2024 questionnaire on national digital strategies and their governance comprise: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom. Partner economies that responded comprise: Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Jordan, Peru, Romania, Singapore and Thailand.

OECD Member countries that responded to Part II of the DEO 2024 questionnaire on the digital policy landscape comprise: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States. Partner economies that responded comprise: Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Jordan, Peru, Romania, Singapore and Thailand.

OECD Member countries that responded to Part III of the DEO 2024 questionnaire on targeted policy initiatives comprise: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Türkiye and the United Kingdom. Partner economies that responded comprise: Bulgaria, Croatia, Jordan, Peru, Romania, Singapore and Thailand.

4. OECD Member countries that responded to Part 1 of the DESO 2026 data collection on national digital strategies and to Part 2 on digital policy priorities comprise: Austria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States. Partner economies that responded comprise: Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Indonesia, Jordan, Peru, Romania and Thailand.

5. OECD Member countries that responded to Part 3 of the DESO 2026 data collection on major digital policies and special topics comprise: Austria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States. Partner economies that responded comprise: Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Indonesia, Jordan, Peru, Romania and Thailand.

References

[2] Gierten, D. and M. Lesher (2022), “Assessing national digital strategies and their governance”, OECD Digital Economy Papers, No. 324, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/baffceca-en.

[1] OECD (2026), “The OECD Going Digital Integrated Policy Framework 2026”, OECD Digital Economy Papers, No. 381, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/0254ae07-en.

[5] OECD (2024), OECD Digital Economy Outlook 2024 (Volume 1): Embracing the Technology Frontier, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/a1689dc5-en.

[4] OECD (2024), OECD Digital Economy Outlook 2024 (Volume 2): Strengthening Connectivity, Innovation and Trust, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/3adf705b-en.

[3] OECD (2017), OECD Digital Economy Outlook 2017, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264276284-en.

Note

← 1. Unlike the DEO 2024 data collection, which included open questions for countries to submit their digital policy priorities, the DESO 2026 data collection had a list of pre-determined priorities for countries to choose from. While this approach facilitates comparability across countries, it also limits and pre-determines the responses available to policymakers.