Overview

The world is on the cusp of a new digital era. With dramatically reduced costs of collecting, storing and processing data, and greatly enhanced computing power, digitalization is transforming economic activities around the world. It is expected to affect value chains, skill requirements, production and trade, and will require adaptations of existing legal and regulatory frameworks in various areas. This has major implications for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, presenting significant opportunities, but also challenges, for developing countries. The Information Economy Report 2017 examines the evolution of the digital economy and its potential consequences for trade and development. Although the speed of digital transformation differs among countries, all of them will need to adapt policies in several areas.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Gender Equality

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Partnerships for the Goals