The Sinar Project, a Malaysian civic tech initiative focusing on open technology, open data, and policy analysis, undertook a comprehensive analysis aimed to examine the relationship between the Capabilities and Availability pillars within the Global Data Barometer (GDB). The analysis uncovers distinct regional trends and realities, shedding light on the varying strengths and weaknesses in developing a robust data ecosystem that supports public access and use.
The findings show a strong correlation: enhanced capabilities are consistently associated with improved data availability. For example, the report highlights, “Globally and across different regions, governments with strong data management capabilities — including open data initiatives, institutional data frameworks, digital governance policies, and public officials skilled in data handling — generally show a higher level of data availability.”
The key findings from the study on data capabilities and their impact on data availability offer important insights for governments and policymakers:
- Governments with advanced data capabilities tend to exhibit higher data availability.
- For countries that show a strong correlation between their data capabilities and the availability of data, it is advisable to concentrate on enhancing specific elements of their data infrastructure, such as improving data skills, advancing digital government initiatives, or expanding internet access.
- Certain countries like the UAE, and Malaysia, despite having high data capabilities, show low data availability. It is crucial for these countries to ensure that their datasets adhere to GDB standards for accessibility.
The Sinar Project’s analysis provides a roadmap for countries to enhance their data systems and policies, aiming to achieve a balance between data capabilities and availability, ultimately leading to more informed decision-making.
The full study is accessible on the Sinar Project website. Check it out!