E-government and digital public services in the Nordic countries - Statistics & Facts
There is no international ranking of digital government maturity without the Nordic countries topping the list. The digital success of Nordic markets has been discussed frequently, and many other countries in Europe and around the world use it as a blueprint for implementing digitalization locally. However, what seems to be a big step forward for other countries is a natural and gradual development for the Nordics, a practice established way before digital government became necessary.
With the recent development of generative AI, the digitalization of the public sector will be greatly impacted. It is already to follow how governments find ways to implement AI technologies in public services. In the case of the Nordics, it is more likely to be a smooth transition, building upon what has already been achieved.
The main dimensions of digital growth
The digital maturity index is determined by the following main dimensions: design, data-driven, user-centricity, transparency, government as a platform, availability of cross-border services, and proactiveness. Denmark had a higher index score of government as a platform, while proactiveness was the Icelandic government’s stronger side. Norway had relatively similar success in all dimensions, except for the openness beyond the release of open data.Sweden
Around seven in ten individuals in Sweden were using digital mailboxes in 2023, an uptick of almost ten percent within two years. Men aged 18-34 years and women aged 35-49 years were more likely to use this service. Furthermore, healthcare apps and virtual doctor’s appointments were especially common among older generations.Norway
As of 2024, information communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure is greatly integrated in the Norwegian government, especially in county municipalities’ organizational strategy. For the latter, the highest anticipated outcomes of digital transformation were improved quality for external user services and simplified work routines. Nevertheless, challenges and barriers stood in the way of the digitalization of Norway’s public services. The biggest challenge was the difficulty of releasing resources for development work.Iceland
With the establishment of Digital Iceland in 2018, the new digital era of Iceland’s public services began. In April 2024, the official website of the service, island.is, saw around three million visits, up from 1.2 million in April 2023. Furthermore, over 163,000 applications for various permits or services passed through the system in 2023.Finland
Around three in four adults 15 to 74 years old in Finland stated that they download official forms for public services via the internet. Moreover, starting a business online and gathering all the necessary information on the internet in Finland was also at the highest maturity level.Denmark
In Denmark, around three in four individuals believe that digital technologies will be very important for accessing public services in the future. Besides, according to the country’s adults, technological advancement will play a key role in engaging in democratic life in the future.With the recent development of generative AI, the digitalization of the public sector will be greatly impacted. It is already to follow how governments find ways to implement AI technologies in public services. In the case of the Nordics, it is more likely to be a smooth transition, building upon what has already been achieved.
