Photo: © User:Colin / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 17 of 18 · Country Index 2026
United Kingdom: Digital & Technology
How ready is a country to use, make and trade technology?
United Kingdom is placed 6th of 198 countries on digital & technology in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: GovTech Maturity Index 0.858 (2025); Government AI Readiness Index 77.75 (2025).
Share
Digital & Technology
6th
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 0.858GovTech Maturity Index, 2025GTMI score (0–1)
- 77.75Government AI Readiness Index, 2025AI readiness score (0–100)
- 1.2Government Cyber Security Capacity, 2025Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.7); higher = more capacity
- 77.29Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports, 2024Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place United Kingdom on digital & technology — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
0.858
GTMI score (0–1)
Higher is better
United Kingdom: 0.858. Across the 196 countries in this edition, values run from 0.01 (North Korea) to 0.997 (South Korea); the world median is 0.63.
- World median
- 0.63
- Best in Northern Europe
- 0.99 Estonia
- Land neighbours
- Ireland 0.897
77.75
AI readiness score (0–100)
Higher is better
Ranked 3rd of 195 by Oxford Insights
United Kingdom: 77.75. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 12.12 (Guinea-Bissau) to 88.36 (United States); the world median is 40.19.
- World median
- 40.19
- Best in Northern Europe
- 77.75 United Kingdom
- Land neighbours
- Ireland 70.58
Key 3 of 4
Government Cyber Security Capacity
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
1.2
Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.7); higher = more capacity
Higher is better
United Kingdom: 1.2. Across the 176 countries in this edition, values run from -2.66 (Liberia) to 3.715 (Estonia); the world median is 0.196.
- World median
- 0.196
- Best in Northern Europe
- 3.715 Estonia
- Land neighbours
- Ireland -0.164
Key 4 of 4
Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
77.29
Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports)
Higher is better
United Kingdom: 77.29. Across the 170 countries in this edition, values run from 0.377 (Gambia) to 87.15 (Ireland); the world median is 25.42.
- World median
- 25.42
- Best in Northern Europe
- 87.15 Ireland
- Land neighbours
- Ireland 87.15
02Over time
Which way United Kingdom is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Government AI Readiness Index
AI readiness score (0–100) · higher is better
United KingdomWorld median
United Kingdom fell from 81.12 in 2020 to 77.75 in 2025; the world median went from 39.58 to 40.19.
Every year’s figures
Year United Kingdom World median 2025 77.8 40.2 2024 78.9 43.3 2023 78.6 41.4 2022 78.5 40.3 2021 81.3 44.1 2020 81.1 39.6 Government Cyber Security Capacity
Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.7); higher = more capacity · higher is better
United KingdomWorld median
United Kingdom fell from 1.746 in 2000 to 1.2 in 2025; the world median went from -0.514 to 0.196.
Every year’s figures
Year United Kingdom World median 2025 1.2 0.20 2024 1.2 0.11 2023 1.8 0.14 2022 1.7 0.16 2021 1.7 0.12 2020 1.7 0.12 2019 1.7 0.10 2018 1.7 -0.05 2017 1.7 -0.08 2016 1.7 -0.10 2015 1.7 -0.17 2014 1.7 -0.21 2013 1.7 -0.21 2012 1.7 -0.25 2011 1.7 -0.32 2010 1.7 -0.31 2009 1.7 -0.50 2008 1.7 -0.51 2007 1.7 -0.51 2006 1.7 -0.55 2005 1.7 -0.55 2004 1.7 -0.55 2003 1.7 -0.55 2002 1.7 -0.51 2001 1.7 -0.51 2000 1.7 -0.51 Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports
Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports) · higher is better
United KingdomWorld median
United Kingdom rose from 73.25 in 2010 to 77.29 in 2024; the world median went from 19.88 to 25.42.
Every year’s figures
Year United Kingdom World median 2024 77.3 25.42 2023 77.4 26.03 2022 75.7 26.04 2021 82.1 29.80 2020 82.0 29.47 2019 72.8 18.36 2018 74.2 20.09 2017 72.5 18.32 2016 71.7 18.15 2015 70.6 19.57 2014 71.3 21.00 2013 71.8 20.50 2012 72.3 19.56 2011 73.1 19.21 2010 73.3 19.88
03In context
United Kingdom beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 198 countries on digital & technology, never a place within the region.
United Kingdom and the countries it borders
Standing among all 198; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | GovTech Maturity IndexGTMI score (0–1) | Government AI Readiness IndexAI readiness score (0–100) | Government Cyber Security CapacityOriginal latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.7); higher = more capacity | Digitally-Deliverable Services ExportsDigitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 6th | 0.858 | 77.75 | 1.2 | 77.29 |
 Ireland | =28th | 0.897 | 70.58 | -0.164 | 87.15 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Northern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.
Placed either side on digital & technology
The countries immediately above and below United Kingdom in the topic’s list.
Singapore3rd
Brazil4th
India5th- United Kingdom6th
Canada7th
United States8th
France=9th
04Context, no vote
Where United Kingdom is ahead of the world, and behind
19 more statistics filed under digital & technology, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median13
Statistics on which United Kingdom does better than the middle country measured.
Frontier Technology Readiness IndexUNCTAD · 2023 · world median 0.4850.960.485No real change since 2013
United Kingdom: 0.96 · world median 0.485 · Frontier Technology Readiness Index (0–1). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; higher is better.
Position 3rd of 170 · derived.
Digital Services Trade Restrictiveness IndexOECD · 2025 · world median 0.2060.0210.206No real change since 2015
United Kingdom: 0.021 · world median 0.206 · Digital STRI (0 = open, 1 = closed). OECD, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.021 to 0.649; lower is better.
Position 125th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms with Their Own WebsiteWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 62.3996.1262.39No earlier reading
United Kingdom: 96.12 · world median 62.39 · Firms with their own website (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.824 to 97.88; higher is better.
Position 6th of 181 · derived.
AI User Share of the Working-Age PopulationMicrosoft AI Economy Institute · 2026 · world median 15.4543.715.45No real change since 2025
United Kingdom: 43.7 · world median 15.45 · Generative-AI users (% of population aged 15–64). Microsoft AI Economy Institute, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 6.1 to 73.3; higher is better.
Internet Use Among AdultsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 83.0596.1583.05No earlier reading
United Kingdom: 96.15 · world median 83.05 · Adults who used the internet in the past three months (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 11.06 to 99.12; higher is better.
Position 11th of 140 · derived.
Share of Firms' Payments Made ElectronicallyWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 64.2297.6764.22No earlier reading
United Kingdom: 97.67 · world median 64.22 · Payments made electronically in a typical month, excluding payroll and payments to government (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 2.172 to 99.91; higher is better.
Government Internet ShutdownsV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.0231.7781.023No real change since 2015
United Kingdom: 1.778 · world median 1.023 · Original latent estimate (≈ −4 to +2); higher = fewer shutdowns. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.547 to 2.081; higher is better.
Position 39th of 176 · derived.
ICT Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 0.9753.430.975▼ Worsened since 2014
United Kingdom: 3.43 · world median 0.975 · ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.45; higher is better.
Position 34th of 119 · derived.
Smartphone OwnershipWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 78.7885.4478.78No earlier reading
United Kingdom: 85.44 · world median 78.78 · Adults whose main mobile phone is a smartphone (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 8.663 to 97.36; higher is better.
Position 42nd of 140 · derived.
Government Dissemination of False Information (Domestic)V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median -0.1140.848-0.114No real change since 2015
United Kingdom: 0.848 · world median -0.114 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.2); higher = less disinformation. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.392 to 2.93; higher is better.
Position 57th of 176 · derived.
Firms Experiencing Internet DisruptionsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.3525.4732.35No earlier reading
United Kingdom: 25.47 · world median 32.35 · Firms that experienced internet outages or slow-downs (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.735 to 82.39; lower is better.
Position 109th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Government Social Media CensorshipV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5050.8620.505▲ Improved since 2015
United Kingdom: 0.862 · world median 0.505 · Original latent estimate (≈ −4.5 to +2.4); higher = less censorship. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.721 to 2.295; higher is better.
Position 73rd of 176 · derived.
Mobile Phone OwnershipWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 91.6891.7891.68No earlier reading
United Kingdom: 91.78 · world median 91.68 · Adults who own a mobile phone (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 45.83 to 100; higher is better.
Position 70th of 140 · derived.
Behind the world median1
Statistics on which United Kingdom does worse than the middle country measured.
ICT Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 7.4747.317.474▼ Worsened since 2014
United Kingdom: 7.31 · world median 7.474 · ICT services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 56.25; higher is better.
Position 63rd of 118 · derived.
No better end5
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
GitHub DevelopersGitHub · 2026 · world median 84,6705,559,76784,670No real change since 2020
United Kingdom: 5,559,767 · world median 84,670 · Developer accounts located in the economy (as of quarter end). GitHub, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 110 to 32,410,529.
GitHub Git PushesGitHub · 2025 · world median 148,7147,734,568148,714No real change since 2020
United Kingdom: 7,734,568 · world median 148,714 · Git pushes during the quarter. GitHub, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,967 to 40,768,192.
GitHub RepositoriesGitHub · 2026 · world median 141,45411,018,799141,454No real change since 2020
United Kingdom: 11,018,799 · world median 141,454 · Public repositories located in the economy (as of quarter end). GitHub, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 142 to 77,284,974.
Anthropic AI Usage IndexAnthropic · 2026 · world median 0.963.350.96No earlier reading
United Kingdom: 3.35 · world median 0.96 · Claude usage index (1 = in proportion to working-age population). Anthropic, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 6.4.
Share of Graduates from ICT ProgrammesUIS · 2023 · world median 5.6015.8085.601Moved since 2014
United Kingdom: 5.808 · world median 5.601 · Tertiary graduates from ICT programmes (% of all graduates). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 17.19.
No current reading for United Kingdom
Made or Received a Digital Payment (last 2021) and Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Digital & Technology among United Kingdom’s 15 topics
Digital & Technology is United Kingdom’s best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Digital & Technology6th of 1984/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge6th of 1983/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture11th of 1844/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade13th of 1774/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions18th of 1944/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience21st of 1934/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital25th of 1963/3 keys
- Economy & Innovation26th of 1764/4 keys
- Work & Labour33rd of 1824/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality34th of 1593/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing43rd of 2004/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties49th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equality46th of 1834/4 keys
- Peace & Security60th of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 115th of 1864/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on digital & technology
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders United Kingdom can most readily be measured against.
=1
EstoniaNorthern Europe
Joint 1st of 198 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Andrus Uuetalu derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 ee, greyscale
=1
South KoreaEastern Asia
Joint 1st of 198 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
3SingaporeSouth-eastern Asia
3rd of 198 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Khairul Nizam . · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Estonia=1st4/4 keysThis page
United Kingdom6th4/4 keys
Positions out of 198 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
United Kingdom on digital & technology: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does United Kingdom rank on digital & technology?
United Kingdom is placed 6th of 198 countries on Digital & Technology in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (GovTech Maturity Index, Government AI Readiness Index, Government Cyber Security Capacity and Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest GovTech Maturity Index figure for United Kingdom?
0.858 in 2025 (gTMI score (0–1)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 0.63.
What is the latest Government AI Readiness Index figure for United Kingdom?
77.75 in 2025 (aI readiness score (0–100)), according to Oxford Insights. The world median in the same edition was 40.19.
How does United Kingdom compare with Ireland on digital & technology?
Ireland is placed joint 28th of 198, and United Kingdom 6th. GovTech Maturity Index: Ireland 0.897, United Kingdom 0.858; Government AI Readiness Index: Ireland 70.58, United Kingdom 77.75; Government Cyber Security Capacity: Ireland -0.164, United Kingdom 1.2; Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports: Ireland 87.15, United Kingdom 77.29.
How have United Kingdom’s digital & technology figures changed?
Government AI Readiness Index fell from 81.12 in 2020 to 77.75 in 2025; Government Cyber Security Capacity fell from 1.746 in 2000 to 1.2 in 2025; Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports rose from 73.25 in 2010 to 77.29 in 2024.
Which digital & technology statistics are missing for United Kingdom?
No current reading is published for United Kingdom on Made or Received a Digital Payment and Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Broadband and mobile subscriptions, connection speeds and the cost of getting online are absent, for the licence reason above; internet use and phone ownership, from the World Bank’s own household survey, and firms’ websites and internet disruptions, from its Enterprise Surveys, are published here as context. The ICT share of goods exports votes under Mobility & Trade. Digital public services and data-protection law are not held yet. Research and development spending is filed under Education & Knowledge, and what an economy knows how to make is under Economy & Innovation.
How the Digital & Technology standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The digital & technology method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- GovTech Maturity Index — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Government AI Readiness Index — Oxford Insights, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Government Cyber Security Capacity — V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports — UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 19 statistics on this page come from 8 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
United Kingdom’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- United Kingdom (banner) — © User:Colin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Estonia — Andrus Uuetalu derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0 ee
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Singapore — Khairul Nizam ., CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). United Kingdom: Digital & Technology — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/united-kingdom/digital