Digital statistics for global development

The World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Symposium (WTIS) has become the world’s primary forum on digital development statistics, offering a unique platform to debate key questions on digital policy and data. Following the 20th edition, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau at ITU, and, Director-General of the Statistical Office of Slovenia and Chair of WTIS-25, discuss the importance of investing in data and the evolution of information and communication technology (ICT) statistics.

Firstly, how has WTIS evolved, and what lessons have been learned over the years?

But the digital world has changed dramatically since the first edition of WTIS – particularly how digital access and engagement are measured. In the 1990s, only a fraction of the population had Internet access, mobile phones were basic, and data collection was limited. Today, digital technologies advance at lightning speed, and measurement must adapt in step. WTIS provides a platform where new ideas and approaches can be shared, helping countries keep pace with changing realities and ensuring that statistical systems remain relevant and useful.

WTIS also shapes the activities of ITU’s Expert Groups on Telecommunication/ICT Indicators and on ICT Household Indicators (EGH), whose work is essential to keep ICT statistics relevant and globally comparable. To strengthen the links between WTIS and these expert groups, we hold their annual meetings back-to-back with WTIS. This enables most members to attend WTIS first, benefit from the global dialogue, and then carry those insights into their own sessions, where they set priorities for the year ahead.

 why is investing in tech-related data collection so crucial to achieve universal and meaningful connectivity and advance digital transformation?

The core mission of national statistical offices is to collect high-quality, reliable, and comparable data across various domains, based on high professional principles and values. The resulting statistics serve as the foundation for evidence-based decisions and strategies that affect all areas of society, the economy, and environmental management.

As digitalization expands, new challenges arise, such as the need for data on digital skills, safe technology usage, and privacy protection. To provide Internet access for all, foster digital literacy, and prevent digital divides, decision-makers need robust and high-quality ICT data.

Given that countries differ in their level of digitalization, the statistical community must ensure that data are comparable – over time and among countries. International organisations such as ITU play a key role by developing methodologies and facilitating knowledge exchange among statisticians worldwide.

I believe that with the right and high-quality data, policymakers can make informed decisions that support universal and meaningful connectivity – the ability for everyone to enjoy a safe, enriching, productive, and affordable online experience that is both empowering and inclusive.

Digitalization is rapidly reshaping many areas of life. Only with appropriate data can we understand the impact of digitalization on employment, productivity, future workforce needs, economic transformation, health, energy consumption, and pressures on natural resources. Even if national statistical systems face challenges, they must adapt to a fast-changing world and collect data that go beyond the usage and impacts of emerging technologies.

National statistical systems will continue to support digitalisation by monitoring changes over time and across regions. This monitoring aims to keep pace with technological developments and their impacts on society, the economy, and the environment.

WTIS-25 is particularly timely to help monitor some emerging issues. Two stand out right now: the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital initiatives to strengthen people’s health and well-being. Both are shaping societies at lightning speed, yet the associated measurement frameworks are still in their infancy. WTIS provides the platform to draw global attention to these challenges and showcase promising efforts at the local level that could be scaled up internationally.