United Kingdom
United Kingdom ranks 7 of 193 on the UN’s index of digital government, ahead of 96% of member states, and 4 of 44 in Europe. Its strongest area is telecoms (0.975); its weakest is human capital (0.945).
UN rank, 2024
7
of 193 · Europe #4 of 44
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Where it stands
The scores
Each score runs from 0 to 1. The index averages the first three parts; e-participation is reported alongside it.
E-Government Index
+0.108 vs Europe
0.958
World 0.638 Europe 0.850
Online services
+0.169 vs Europe
0.953
World 0.575 Europe 0.784
What the government offers online, from information to full transactions.
Human capital
+0.103 vs Europe
0.945
World 0.650 Europe 0.842
Literacy and schooling: whether people can use what is offered.
Telecoms
+0.053 vs Europe
0.975
World 0.690 Europe 0.922
Internet, mobile and broadband: whether people can reach it.
E-participation
+0.248 vs Europe
0.973
World 0.489 Europe 0.724
How far citizens are informed, consulted and involved online.
Its neighbours
Full rankingIQGov on United Kingdom
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In the Precedent Finder
Open the finderUnited Kingdom
ClosedGOV.UK Verify
2016 to 2023
A federated identity service using certified private providers to verify users for government services.
- Cost
- £233.3m to 2021-22
- Time to launch
- Closed after seven years
- Team
- Not published
- Result
- Peaked at about 10m users against a 25m target; closed in April 2023
What went wrong. Adoption fell far short of target, and the National Audit Office found expected benefits had been cut by 75%.
The lesson. Adoption targets need services people must use; an identity with few uses will not be taken up.
Sources: Computer Weekly: GDS cut expected benefits of Verify by 75%; Global Government Forum: UK government shuts down Verify
Source: UN E-Government Survey 2024, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Precedent figures are illustrative in this preview edition.