Insight

Denmark ranks among the world’s leading Digital Governments

Insight

Denmark ranks among the world’s leading Digital Governments

A highly digitalised public sector can make it easier for businesses and investors to interact with public authorities by supporting efficient, transparent and accessible processes. Denmark’s strong performance in two international benchmarks reflects the country’s well-established foundation for digital government. 

When

Waseda University World Digital Government Rankings 2025

Waseda University World Digital Government Rankings 2025 (top 10 countries)
Source: Waseda University Institute of Digital Government Digital Government Rankings 2025 (top 10 countries).

Denmark ranks second in the 2025 Waseda University World Digital Government Rankings. Among the 66 countries and economies assessed, only the United Kingdom ranks higher. Denmark is also the highest-ranked EU member state, ahead of Estonia in fourth place, the Netherlands in sixth, and Finland in tenth.

Denmark also records the fifth-highest composite score in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) 2025 Digital Government Index, tied with Norway, Estonia, and Ireland. The index assesses the foundations that enable governments to use data and technology to support a coherent, human-centred digital transformation of the public sector. 

OECD Digital Government Index 2025 results (top 10 countries)
OECD Digital Government Index 2025 results (top 10 countries). Scores are rounded to two decimal places. Countries with identical rounded composite scores share the same position.

The two assessments use different methodologies, but both point to Denmark’s broad-based digital maturity across areas such as public-sector infrastructure, data governance, online services, cybersecurity and user-centred digital government.

For international companies, these capabilities support a business environment in which many interactions with public authorities can be handled digitally and efficiently. 

A digitally integrated public sector

Denmark’s performance reflects a long-term, coordinated approach to digitalisation across government. Strong digital-government foundations require progress across several interconnected areas rather than a narrow focus on individual technologies.

In Denmark, these foundations include:

  • Established data-governance and access to open data
  • Advanced digital infrastructure and a strong focus on cybersecurity
  • Citizen-centred and user-driven public services
  • National strategies and regulatory guidance supporting the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence

For businesses, a digitally integrated public sector can facilitate interactions with public authorities, reduce administrative burdens and support more efficient day-to-day operations. 

Methodology

Waseda University World Digital Government Rankings

Now in its 20th edition, the Waseda University ranking assesses 66 digitally advanced countries and economies. The assessment covers ten weighted indicators:

  1. Network infrastructure preparedness
  2. Administrative and management optimisation
  3. Online services
  4. National portal usability
  5. Government Chief Information Officer performance
  6. Digital-government strategy and promotion
  7. Electronic participation
  8. Open government data and digital transformation
  9. Cybersecurity
  10. Information and communication technology and emerging technologies

The assessment draws on research and questionnaires completed by relevant government officials and academics with expertise in digital government.

OECD Digital Government Index

The OECD Digital Government Index assesses the foundations that enable a coherent and human-centred digital transformation of the public sector. It covers six dimensions:

  1. Digital by design: Integrating digital considerations into policymaking and public-service transformation.
  2. Data-driven public sector: Developing the governance and systems required for data access, sharing and reuse.
  3. Government as a platform: Providing shared tools, guidelines, data, digital identity and software across the public sector.
  4. Open by default: Using technology and data to promote openness, communication and engagement.
  5. User-driven: Placing user needs at the centre of public-policy and service design.
  6. Proactiveness: Anticipating user needs and delivering services proactively.

Each dimension is assessed across four stages of the policy cycle: strategic approach, policy levers, implementation and monitoring.

Data for the 2025 index were collected through the OECD Survey on Digital Government 3.0. The results cover policies and initiatives implemented between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2024 and therefore do not reflect more recent developments. 

Copenhagen

Kolding

Silkeborg

Aarhus

Aalborg

Oslo

London

Paris

Munich

New-York

Toronto

Silicon-Valley

Tokyo

Bangalore

Taipei

Shanghai

Singapore