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Sweden Tops 2008 E-Government Readiness Report; U.S. Drops to Fourth

No countries from the African, Caribbean, Central American, Central Asian, South American, or Southern Asian regions scored among the top 35.

The United Nations just released its 2008 E-Government Readiness Report, ranking countries by e-government development.

The 250-plus page report: UN E-Government Survey 2008: From E-Government to Connected Governance indicate that while governments are moving forward in e-government development around the world, most lack the investment needed to move from e-government applications to a more integrated connected governance stage. Northern European countries, however, have integrated national and ministerial Web sites for more integrated program delivery, according to the report.

Europe on average was the highest ranking region. "A large part of the success of the European countries" said the report, "has been their investment in infrastructure and connectivity, most notably in broadband infrastructure."

No countries from the African, Caribbean, Central American, Central Asian, South American, or Southern Asian regions scored among the top 35.

The United States did rank first in "e-participation" meaning its citizens are more interactive with their government. The Republic of Korea was second, and Denmark and France tied for third.
Wayne E. Hanson served as a writer and editor with e.Republic from 1989 to 2013, having worked for several business units including Government Technology magazine, the Center for Digital Government, Governing, and Digital Communities. Hanson was a juror from 1999 to 2004 with the Stockholm Challenge and Global Junior Challenge competitions in information technology and education.