英联邦-英联邦数字经济（英文）-2020.3-170页_7mb

Summary of Digital Economy in the Commonwealth

Core Content

The Digital Economy in the Commonwealth report explores the impact of digital technologies on trade, economic development, and the broader socio-economic landscape of Commonwealth member countries. It outlines both the opportunities and challenges that arise from digital transformation, emphasizing the need for coordinated policy responses to ensure that all Commonwealth countries can benefit from the digital economy.

Main Viewpoints

• Digital Transformation and Trade:

  • Digital technologies are reshaping trade by lowering barriers, enabling e-commerce, and diversifying traded goods and services.
  • The Commonwealth is experiencing growth in ICT services but is losing ground in high-technology manufacturing.
  • High-income Commonwealth countries (HICs) contribute significantly to the digital economy, while low-income countries (LICs) and small states lag in participation and digital readiness.

• Digital Readiness and Divides:

  • Many Commonwealth countries, especially developing members and small states, face significant digital divides.
  • Low internet penetration and high costs of digital infrastructure limit access to digital opportunities.
  • The report highlights that only a few Commonwealth countries (UK, Canada, Australia, India, Singapore, Malaysia) are leading in digital trade and e-commerce.

• Opportunities for Development:

  • Digitalisation offers new economic pathways, enhancing productivity, innovation, and export competitiveness.
  • It supports inclusive development by creating job opportunities and improving the role of women in trade.
  • The digital economy can enable small states to develop knowledge-intensive services instead of relying on traditional manufacturing.

• Challenges of Digitalisation:

  • The digital divide threatens to marginalize certain groups, particularly in developing countries and small states.
  • There is a need for improved digital infrastructure, skills development, and regulatory frameworks to enable effective participation in the digital economy.
  • The lack of a harmonized regulatory framework hinders the growth of e-commerce in small states.

Key Information

• Internet Penetration:

  • In 2018, over half the global population had internet access, compared to less than 10% in 2000.
  • In Commonwealth countries, the average internet penetration rate is lower in low-income countries (LICs) and small states.

• ICT Trade Growth:

  • ICT services grew by 40% globally from 2010–2015.
  • Commonwealth countries account for a declining share of global high-technology exports (from 19% to 11% between 2000–2017).

• Digital Skills Gap:

  • Commonwealth countries lag behind in basic digital skills and information management.
  • Only 27.8% of the population uses the internet to access information about government organizations, compared to the global average of 40%.
  • There is a significant disparity in digital skills across Commonwealth countries, with some nations like the UK performing better than others such as Bangladesh.

• Impact of Digitalisation on Labour Markets:

  • Productivity is higher in Commonwealth countries with both high internet penetration and high secondary school enrollment.
  • A 1% increase in skills can boost the impact of internet penetration on manufacturing productivity by 7.4%.
  • In some countries, the use of the internet for innovation, commerce, and analytical thinking is significantly lower among women.

• Digital Infrastructure Development:

  • Digital infrastructure is categorized into basic, intermediate, and advanced levels.
  • Commonwealth HICs perform better in all infrastructure categories than LICs and small states.
  • The cost of fixed broadband in LICs is higher than the Commonwealth average, hindering access.

• Policy Recommendations:

  • Develop digital infrastructure and foundational systems (e.g., digital identities, payments).
  • Promote e-commerce and data-driven economies.
  • Encourage the use of smart technologies in agriculture and fisheries.
  • Enhance digital skills development and support inclusive digital policies.
  • Foster regulatory co-operation and coherence to support digital trust and inclusion.

Conclusion

The report underscores the importance of addressing the digital divide and building an inclusive and sustainable digital economy across the Commonwealth. It calls for a collaborative approach to policy-making, investment in digital infrastructure, and the promotion of digital skills and regulatory frameworks that support digital transformation and ensure that all citizens, including women and youth, can benefit from the opportunities presented by the digital economy.