The Global Data Barometer 2nd edition: A Shared Compass for Navigating the Data Landscape

Across the globe, we’re at a turning point.

From artificial intelligence and digital governance to public transparency and service delivery, data is now a fundamental force shaping how our societies function and who they serve. It holds tremendous promise to drive inclusive growth, foster accountability, and support urgent action on global challenges. And yet, access to high-quality, usable data is becoming increasingly constrained.

Some, like Verhulst (2024), have begun calling this moment a “data winter,” a period marked by shrinking openness, rising inequality in access, and growing fragmentation in how data is governed and used. This trend poses a risk not just to innovation but to the democratic values that underpin trust, participation, and accountability.

In this complex landscape, evidence matters more than ever. That is why we are proud to launch the Second Edition of the Global Data Barometer (GDB), a collaborative and comparative study that tracks the state of data for the public good across 43 countries, with a focused lens on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and Africa.

 

A Barometer for the Public Good

The Barometer is more than a report; it is a mirror. It helps us understand where progress is being made, where critical gaps persist, and what steps are needed to build healthier and more equitable data ecosystems.

Behind this edition is the work of over 40 researchers, regional hubs, and thematic partners who together shaped a nuanced and deeply contextual analysis of how countries are governing, using, and enabling data. We are especially grateful to our regional partners, the Latin American Open Data Initiative (ILDA), the Local Development Research Institute (LDRI), and the Caribbean Open Institute (COI), as well as to thematic collaborators such as the Open Government Partnership, Transparency International, Open Contracting Partnership, Open Ownership, Land Portal, and the Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency (GIFT). Their expertise ensured this edition reflects real-world conditions.

The project was made possible through the generous support of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and contributions from the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB).

 

Why Now?

This second edition comes at a crucial moment.

Since the launch of its first edition in 2022, the data landscape has continued to shift rapidly. As AI systems become increasingly embedded in public decision-making, concerns around data quality, fairness, and governance have become even more pressing. In the absence of robust oversight, AI tools trained on incomplete or biased datasets risk reinforcing existing inequalities and deepening opacity, especially in countries where civic space is already constrained.

At the same time, governments are under mounting pressure to deliver digital public services, uphold transparency, and manage data responsibly, all while grappling with limited institutional and financial capacity.

The Global Data Barometer is designed to meet this moment. By offering a comparative snapshot of what is working and where gaps remain, it equips governments, donors, and civil society with the insights needed to make smarter investments, craft more inclusive policies, and hold systems to account.

 

What Are We Learning?

The Barometer tracks countries across four dimensions: governance, capabilities, and availability, while also exploring key cross-cutting areas like AI readiness, inclusion, and data use. Here are some of the key takeaways:

• The Implementation Gap

Many countries have adopted laws and frameworks for data governance, but there is a stark gap between policy and practice. Without strong institutions and dedicated capacity, even well-designed frameworks fall short.

• The Role of Skills and Infrastructure

Data does not flow or translate into value without people and systems in place. Across both Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa, we see underinvestment in public sector skills, training, and the infrastructure needed to manage and reuse data effectively.

• AI Is Moving Faster Than Governance

AI is increasingly present in national strategies, but very few countries have clear policies to guide its ethical use. Governance frameworks rarely address issues like algorithmic bias, data quality, or the accountability of AI-driven decision-making.

• Open Data Needs Reinvestment

Many countries once seen as open data champions are struggling to sustain their efforts. Legal mandates are not always matched by technical implementation or resources. As a result, open data initiatives risk losing momentum.

• Transparency Tools Are Missing

Key datasets that support transparency and anti-corruption, such as lobbying registers, beneficial ownership data, and political finance records, are often missing or fragmented. This makes it hard to follow the money or hold institutions to account.

• Inclusion Is Still Largely Symbolic

Despite commitments to equity, inclusive data governance remains the exception. Data is rarely published in Indigenous or widely spoken non-official languages. Accessibility for persons with disabilities is often treated as a recommendation rather than a requirement.

• Interoperability Remains a Barrier

Efforts to connect datasets across government, such as on procurement, company data, or political integrity, are rare. Without common standards or identifiers, it is difficult to track influence or evaluate policy impact holistically.

 

Regional Perspectives

The findings paint a nuanced picture across regions.

• In Latin America and the Caribbean, countries tend to have stronger institutional capacity and more established digital infrastructure. However, challenges around inter-agency coordination and sustaining political will are slowing progress.
• In Africa, there is real momentum around policy reform, especially in areas like data protection. However, implementation hurdles related to infrastructure, funding, and institutional capacity remain substantial.

 

A Shared Responsibility

The Barometer is not a scorecard; it is a shared compass. It is an invitation to governments, civil society, donors, and international organizations to work together to close gaps, strengthen accountability, and build inclusive and trustworthy data systems that support democracy and development.

As global discussions continue on data sovereignty, digital public infrastructure, and responsible AI, the Barometer offers critical evidence to guide national priorities and shape global agendas.

We hope this work sparks dialogue, fuels reform, and supports those on the frontlines of building better data systems, not for their own sake but for the public good.

 

Explore the results, country data, and thematic modules at: https://globaldatabarometer.org/

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