Digital Government Outlook 2026 From Foundations to Transformational Impact
Gillian Dorner
Deputy Director, Public Governance Directorate, OECD
15 June 2026
Digital government as the main enabler of the Government Unstuck agenda
1. A NEW RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE
2. SIMPLE GOVERNMENT AND REGULATIONS
3. RESTORING GOVERNMENTS’ ROOM FOR MANOEUVRE IN THEIR PUBLIC FINANCES
Data and measurement feedback loops
4. PROACTIVE AND PREPARED GOVERNMENT IN A DIGITAL WORLD
The DGO is underpinned by a unique data set to support the digital transformation of governments
• The first comprehensive, forward-looking report on digital government across 36 Members and 8 accession candidates, built on the Digital Government Index (DGI) and the Open, Useful and Re-usable Data Index (OURdata).
• The Outlook evaluates both progress and persistent gaps across the foundations of digital transformation: governance and investment, infrastructure, skills, data governance and sharing, AI in government, and service design and delivery.
• A distinctive focus on government capability and coherence – from design to delivery – helping countries identify strengths, prioritise reforms, and track progress over time.
From strengthening government digital foundations to implementation and impact
Governments are strengthening their digital capabilities to deliver better
OECD average of the Digital Government Index (DGI) increased by 9 percentage points between 2023 and 2025
Results across the six dimensions of the DGI (on a scale 0 to 1), 2025 and 2023
Note: 2025 DGI data not available for Germany or the United States. 2025 OURdata data not available for Denmark, Hungary and the United States. 2025 data cover 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2024. 2023 DGI data not available for Germany, Greece, Slovakia, Switzerland or the United States. 2023 OURdata data not available for Hungary and the United States. Data for Indonesia and Thailand cover 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2023.
Governments are increasingly open their data to support transparency and a data-based economy
OECD average of the Open, Useful and Re-usable Data (OURdata) Index increased by 5 percentage points between 2023 and 2025
Results across the three pillars of the OURdata Index (on a scale 0 to 1), 2025 and 2023 Note:
Digital government policies are getting stronger, but transformation will require focus on implementation
Scores across the six dimensions of the DGI (on a scale 0 to 1), OECD average, 2023 and 2025
design
Where do governments stand?
Key findings of the DGO
Strengthening digital public infrastructure (DPI) is key: from availability to everyday use
Governments are putting the right digital foundations in place but these need to be embedded as reusable, default building blocks across the public sector.
Availability of DPI systems keeps growing
% of OECD countries, by type
Uptake of key DPI systems remains moderate
• On average, 63% of public institutions across the OECD use their national data-sharing system to exchange data across government.
• In 69% of OECD countries, digital identity systems enable access to at least 50% of digital public services.
Data governance is improving, but it is not yet translating into more strategic availability and use of data
Public sector data strategies are nearly universal but implementation, reuse and outcome measurement lag behind, the foundations for trustworthy AI and data-driven government.
Government productivity and user-driven services are the top goals of public-sector data strategies
% of OECD countries, by strategy goals, 2025
public sector productivity and efficiency
Design more user-driven services
Ensure ethical and trustworthy data sharing and use
Improve foresight and evidence-based policymaking
Strengthen policy evaluation and monitoring
Support cross-border services
High-value datasets in open data are more available but overall coverage remains incomplete
% of OECD countries, by selected types of high-value dataset in open format
Government capacity for digital transformation needs to become both stronger and more agile
Management tools such as investment planning, funding and evaluation, alongside efforts to build workforce capability, are not yet in tune with modern delivery models.
Management of investments is not yet embracing iterative, learning-oriented approaches
% of OECD countries, by management method
Only seven countries have dedicated strategies for boosting digital skills in government
Governments need to further use the opportunities of AI but are not fully ready
AI use in government is growing, but progress is held back by uneven enablers: data governance, transparency, digital infrastructure, skills and organisational capacity.
AI is being applied more in internal processes and public services than in policymaking and accountability %
Only six countries have an open algorithm register or equivalent transparency tool for AI
Governments are not fully seizing digital government's potential for coherent and human-centric public services
The key challenge is implementation: embedding service standards, user engagement, digital infrastructure and data into day-to-day routines.
Service standards are widespread, but are not yet prioritising omni-channel, integrated services
% of OECD countries, by availability and associated goals
Only half of OECD countries have an omni-channel service delivery strategy
What can governments do to close the
gap between ambition and execution?
Policy actions
1. Moving from foundations to widely adopted interoperable systems
2. Ensure governance, investment and skills are fit for digital delivery
3. Strengthen digital capabilities for trustworthy and scalable AI in government
4. Deliver more joined-up and human-centred public services
