Correct Answer : 49th
The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) unveiled its 2023 World Digital Competitiveness Ranking (WDCR) on Friday (1st Dec 2023), revealing India's position at 49th among 64 economies.
According to IMD's study, India has made significant in terms of cybersecurity knowledge but lacks on fronts like technology and future readiness.
The WDCR is a comprehensive assessment that provides insights into how nations are navigating the digital landscape amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). This ranking sheds light on crucial elements contributing to a nation's digital prowess, a quality gaining paramount importance as technology continues to reshape societies globally.
According to IMD, the United States has reclaimed the top spot in this year's ranking, solidifying its position as a "digital nation" that actively integrates digital technologies, including AI, across governmental, corporate, and individual domains. The Netherlands secured the second position, advancing four places, while Singapore, leading in the technology factor, secured the third spot.
Denmark, the previous overall leader, slipped to fourth place due to declines in future readiness and technology factors. Switzerland, excelling in the knowledge factor, maintained its top position, completing the top five.
In the Asia-Pacific region, India has descended to the 12th position among 14 countries, a drop from its consistent 11th place in the previous four years. On a global scale, among the 27 nations with populations exceeding 20 million, India now ranks 18th, a decline of two positions from the previous year.
Examining India's performance, the nation showcased improvements in cybersecurity knowledge, particularly in talent, training, and education. However, a sub-factor in scientific concentration experienced a setback. Notably, strengths were evident in graduates in sciences and research and development productivity by publication.
In the technology domain, India secured the 50th spot, with challenges in enforcing contracts, wireless broadband, and internet users. On the positive side, investments in telecommunications, along with IT and media stock market capitalisation, emerged as notable strengths.
Future readiness parameters placed India at 51st, highlighting weaknesses in tablet possession, internet retailing, and E-governance. Meanwhile, the distribution of world robots stood out as a strength.
A parallel report from the World Bank identified five countries—China, Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam—as responsible for 75% of the world's total digital infrastructure investment in 2023, capturing an impressive $68.3 billion..
Source : CNBC
