The public sector needs to embrace digital technology and data to transform the interaction with the users of public services, throughout the whole policy and service lifecycle. This includes policy design, delivery, monitoring and evaluation.
Digital government
Digital government explores and supports the development and implementation of digital government strategies and initiatives that bring governments closer to citizens and businesses. It recognises that technology is a strategic driver to not only improve public sector efficiency, but also to make policies more effective, and governments more open, transparent, innovative, participatory and trustworthy.
Key messages
Achieving a government-wide digital transformation in a coherent and inclusive manner requires a solid governance, including a strategic vision, a clear mandate for digital government, good leadership, and effective co-ordination and collaboration with actors within and outside the public sector.
Governments should adopt clear business cases for the use of resources on identified objectives and monitor results. The necessary capabilities, including skilled people, enabling tools andregulatory and legal frameworks, are required to capture new digital government opportunities while mitigating associated risks (such as those related to security, privacy and inclusion).
There are significant differences in country approaches to ensure ethical management and use of algorithms by public sector institutions. Currently, 53% of countries have formal requirements for the ethical use of AI (e.g. laws or regulations); 40% use policy initiatives such as guidelines, standards or principles; and 7% of surveyed countries do not use any instruments.
Data governance can enable governments to manage data across public sectors in a secure, ethical and efficient way, enabling decision-making based on good evidence. The rise in the use artificial intelligence by public sectors stresses the importance of adopting robust data governance frameworks to ensure inclusive and sustainable public services.
Context
How are countries making progress towards digital government?
The OECD Digital Government Index (DGI) measures the implementation of the OECD Recommendation on Digital Government Strategies, assessing efforts made by governments to establish the foundations necessary for a coherent, human-centred digital transformation of the public sector across OECD Member and key partner countries. Evidence is gathered to support countries in making concrete policy decisions.
How are countries making progress in the design and implementation of national open government data policies?
The OURdata Index benchmarks the design and implementation of open data policies at the central level and highlights the sustained political and policy relevance of this area of work for OECD Member and partner countries and beyond. The results show that OECD countries are increasingly moving towards the development of government-wide data strategies. However, open government data remains a core component of these strategies as essential to strengthen good governance, due to the social and business value created by shared and public data.
-
Fighting corruption and promoting integrity in both the private and public sectors are critical to fostering an environment of trust and accountability, and conducive to sustainable and inclusive economic development.Learn more
-
Corporate governance guides how a company is directed and its relationships with its shareholders and stakeholders. With the right structure and systems in place, good corporate governance enables companies to create an environment of trust, transparency and accountability, which promotes long-term patient capital and supports economic growth and financial stability. OECD work on corporate governance is guided by the G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance, the global standard in this area.Learn more
-
Digital transformation – the impact of digital technologies and data and their use on existing and new activities – is accelerating worldwide, affecting all sectors. It offers immense opportunities for our economies and societies yet poses important risks that must be addressed to reap its benefits. Countries and stakeholders must work together in an evidence-based, whole-of-governance approach to advance a trusted, sustainable and inclusive digital future for all.Learn more
-
Governments today must be able to adapt to changing environments, work in different ways, and find solutions to complex challenges. OECD work on public sector innovation looks at how governments can use novel tools and approaches to improve practices, achieve efficiencies and produce better policy results.Learn more
-
Infrastructure plays a critical role in the wellbeing of people and in the development of countries and communities around the world. It enables the flow of goods, people and information, and provides services such as energy and water that constitute the foundation of our daily lives and economies. As such, infrastructure is essential to addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate change. OECD work on infrastructure integrates a horizontal approach across multiple policy areas, from environmental policy to investment, finance, local and national approaches, and from the perspective of developing countries.Learn more
-
Multi-level governance refers to the system that supports policy and decision-making among national, regional, and local governments. When these levels of government work well together, policies are more likely to succeed, fostering development in all places. The OECD actively supports effective decentralisation and regionalisation reforms, as well as the strategic planning, implementation and performance measurement of regional policies at all levels of government.Learn more
-
Governments depend on dedicated and skilled public sector leaders and workers to translate policy goals into transformations that deliver results and resonate with citizen expectations.. Faced with new challenges, the capabilities of public servants and those who lead them are constantly required to adapt. OECD work in this area looks at how governments can develop and lead skilled, committed and trusted public workforces that are fit for the future.Learn more
-
Public finance is the economic field focusing on the financial activities of government entities at various levels. Our work examines government expenditures, including public services, infrastructure, social welfare, defence, education, healthcare, and more. These are outlined in the national budget, reflecting financial commitments to meet obligations and provide essential services. Our contributions aim to enhance governance, accountability, and fiscal policy discussions, addressing current challenges and preparing for the future.Learn more
-
The OECD helps governments tackle post-COVID challenges, prioritising strategic governance for green transitions, social cohesion, and equality. Reinforcing global commitments through capable governments is crucial. For effective governance and international cooperation, maintaining an impartial public service is vital. Governments, pressured to demonstrate outcomes and implement well-being-improving policies, need evidence-informed decision-making. Despite available evidence through public policy evaluation, its utilisation often remains challenging for governments.Learn more
-
Public procurement refers to the purchase by governments and state-owned enterprises of goods, services and works. It is a crucial pillar of services delivery for governments. As it accounts for a large share of the taxpayers’ money, governments are expected to carry it out efficiently and with high standards of integrity to ensure the quality-of-service delivery and safeguard the public interest.Learn more
-
Effective laws and regulations are a vital tool for policymakers to grow the economy, protect the environment and improve citizens’ lives. The OECD’s work on regulatory policy brings together leading global experts on better regulation, and provides advise to governments on how best to design, implement and review laws and policies to improve the well-being of society.Learn more
-
Democracies are under growing internal and external pressures, including political polarisation, the spread of disinformation and the rise of populism. We provide governments with policy solutions, data, expertise and good practices on the public governance challenges they face to help them preserve and strengthen their democracies, build trust in government and public institutions, fight mis- and disinformation, and improve government openness, citizen participation and inclusiveness.Learn more