Vietnam jumps 11 places in Network Readiness Index 2024

NRI 2024 is an in-depth report that comprehensively assesses the readiness, effectiveness, and potential for information and communication technology (ICT) applications of 133 countries, representing 95% of global gross domestic product (GDP).

The report was jointly produced by the Portulans Institute, a non-profit research organisation dedicated to innovation and competitiveness, and the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, one of the world's leading business education institutions.

NRI 2024 is based on four main pillars: (1) Technology: Measures technology infrastructure, access to information technology, and innovation in the ICT sector; (2) People: Assesses people's skills and the level of ICT use in personal, business, and government activities; (3) Governance: Analyzes policies, laws, and regulations related to ICT, as well as the transparency and effectiveness of the government in promoting technology application; (4) Impact: Measures the economic and social impact of ICT, including economic growth, innovation, and improved quality of life.

With a total score of 54.96/100, Vietnam ranked 45th out of 133 countries in NRI in 2024.

According to NRI 2024, Vietnam achieved a total score of 54.96, of which the technology score was 49.27 points, the people score was 47.97 points, the governance score was 58.03 points and the impact score was 64.58 points.

With this result, Vietnam ranked 45th out of 133 countries, up 11 places compared to last year. In the group of 32 lower-middle-income countries, Vietnam leads the NRI index, followed by India (49th) and the Philippines (63rd).

The NRI 2024 report highlights that lower-middle-income economies like Vietnam are making outstanding progress in technology adoption and labor skills upgrading, exceeding expectations based on GDP per capita. This shows significant progress in technology use, despite economic constraints.

The report also highlights the importance of comprehensive digital transformation strategies that not only focus on technology infrastructure but also include legal frameworks, skills development and digital inclusion. For Vietnam, although the digital economy is growing strongly thanks to telecommunications infrastructure and increasing adoption of digital services, it is necessary to strengthen the development of a management framework to ensure sustainable digital development.

The US, Singapore and Finland are the world's top 3 countries in NRI for 3 consecutive years.

In the NRI 2024 rankings, the US continues to maintain its No. 1 position in the world. This achievement reflects the country's outstanding ability to exploit the potential of ICT to promote economic growth, innovative research, and technology application in key areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and comprehensive digital transformation.

Singapore continues to hold the second position, demonstrating its strength in building modern technology infrastructure, effective management policies, and developing digital skills for the workforce.

Meanwhile, Finland, with its excellent education system and sustainable innovation strategy, maintained its third place in the rankings.

All three countries have maintained their rankings for the past three years, affirming their position as pioneers in applying ICT to create positive impacts on the economy and society.

This not only demonstrates remarkable technological advances but also demonstrates the effective combination of policy, innovation capacity and strategic investment, creating a solid foundation for sustainable growth in the digital age.

The top 10 NRI countries in 2024 have some notable changes

While the NRI 2024 rankings still record stability among the leading countries, some notable changes have occurred within the top 10, reflecting positive developments in ICT development efforts.

The UK has risen from 10th to 8th place, thanks to its strong performance in research, innovation, and strategic investment in digital infrastructure.

Sweden also recorded progress, moving up one place from 5th to 4th place, thanks to its focus on sustainable technology development and comprehensive digitalization strategy.

Notably, South Korea jumped two places from 7th to 5th, demonstrating remarkable progress in applying new technologies such as AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) to the economy and social life.

The Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark continue to be at the top of the rankings, thanks to stability in technology management policies, highly developed ICT infrastructure, and levels of innovation in key industries.

These countries not only maintain their position but also lead in creating sustainable digital transformation models and integrating technology into every aspect of life and economy.

The changes in this year's top 10 rankings underscore that competition in the technology sector is increasingly fierce, with countries constantly improving their strategies and enhancing their digital capabilities to maintain or improve their position on the international stage.

Europe dominates with top 17 countries in NRI 2024 ranking

The NRI 2024 report shows a remarkable geographical distribution of the top countries, highlighting differences in ICT readiness and capabilities.

Accordingly, Europe dominates with the presence of 17 countries, mainly from Western Europe and Scandinavia, reflecting the superiority of developed economies in building modern technology infrastructure, implementing ICT support policies, and investing in innovation capacity.

These countries include prominent representatives such as Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Finland, which are highly regarded for their ability to integrate technology into their economies, education systems, and governance.

Asia has a notable presence with Singapore, China, South Korea and Japan representing the region. Singapore leads the region with its comprehensive digital transformation strategy and technology-friendly business environment.

South Korea and Japan continue to assert their pioneering position in high-tech innovation, from AI to technological solutions in production and life. Meanwhile, China stands out with its outstanding development scale, especially in the field of e-commerce and domestic technology ecosystem.

North America is represented by two countries, the United States and Canada, with the United States holding the number one global position thanks to its leadership in technological innovation and competitiveness in digital industries. Meanwhile, Canada shows strong development in ICT infrastructure and policies to support digital skills for its people.

Oceania is represented by Australia and New Zealand, two countries that are always among the region's leaders in technology investment, digital education development, and implementation of sustainable ICT-based solutions.

The presence of countries from different regions in the NRI 2024 reflects not only the remarkable growth of these economies but also underscores the increasingly important role of technology in driving economic growth, improving governance and enhancing the quality of life globally.

Vietnam among countries far exceeding expectations on network readiness

Countries like China (17th), Vietnam (45th), Ukraine (43rd), and Kenya (73rd) stood out in the NRI 2024 report by exceeding expectations in terms of cyber readiness, despite being in the group of low- to middle-income economies.

This remarkable achievement represents a stark departure from predictions based on GDP per capita, demonstrating the ability to leverage technology to drive economic and social development.

Specifically, each country surpassed the trend benchmark by at least 10%, affirming strong progress in building technology infrastructure, improving digital capabilities and promoting innovation.

China, with strong growth in areas such as e-commerce, AI and smart manufacturing, continues to consolidate its leading position among emerging economies.

Vietnam, thanks to its comprehensive digital transformation strategy and the increased use of digital services in daily life, has risen strongly in the Southeast Asian region.

Meanwhile, Ukraine, despite geopolitical challenges, has made great strides in developing digital skills and improving technology governance.

Kenya, a bright representative from Africa, has become a regional technology hub with innovations in mobile finance and agritech.

These achievements highlight that, despite economic constraints, these countries are leveraging ICT to drive growth, bridge the digital divide and create breakthrough opportunities, serving as an inspiration for many other countries seeking to find their way in the digital age.

Professor Soumitra Dutta, Co-Founder and President of the Portulans Institute, Co-Editor of the NRI 2024 report and Dean of the Saïd School of Business at the University of Oxford, highlighted the core importance of this index in the context of global digital transformation.

“As digital transformation is accelerating, NRI 2024 highlights the pivotal role of public-private partnerships in building a solid foundation for digital readiness. By working together, governments, businesses and civil society can create a stable, trustworthy governance framework that enables the full potential of technology to be harnessed, contributing to the overall enhancement of economic and social well-being,” he said.

Professor Dutta’s remarks underscore that, in the digital age, no single organization or sector can shape the future of technology on its own. It is the collaboration of stakeholders that will create sustainable solutions that both foster innovation and ensure that technology is used to deliver long-term benefits to people and the global economy.