Unlocking Value: What the GDB Reveals About Data Use Across Sectors

Understanding how data is actually used—by whom, for what purpose, and with what impact—is central to building effective and inclusive data ecosystems. In the second edition of the Global Data Barometer (GDB), data use emerges as a vital cross-cutting issue, offering a lens into the real-world applications of data across governance domains. While the Barometer has traditionally assessed legal frameworks, availability, and technical openness, this cross-cutting theme focuses on what happens after data is published—who picks it up, how they use it, and what remains untapped.

Unlike thematic clusters that examine single sectors (such as health, procurement, or political integrity), cross-cutting themes like data use reassemble evidence from across the entire survey. They draw on a combination of indicator components, sub-questions, and supporting responses to surface deeper insights that don’t sit neatly within one domain. The data use theme cuts across indicators, providing a comprehensive picture of whether published data is making a difference on the ground.

One clear finding is that accountability and transparency remain the dominant use cases for data. Whether in the context of political financing, public procurement, or land ownership, the data that is used most visibly serves to uncover wrongdoing, increase public scrutiny, and push for institutional reform. These patterns reflect the priorities of a broad ecosystem of data users, including civil society organizations and the media, who consistently appear as key actors across action areas. Where data is accessible and usable, these groups are often at the forefront of transforming it into insight and action.

Importantly, governments themselves also feature as major data users, particularly in domains like company registries, budget and spending data, and procurement. Here, internal use serves critical functions—from regulatory compliance and policy planning to performance monitoring—reinforcing the idea that open data is not just about external accountability, but also about strengthening state capacity and improving service delivery.

Yet, the Barometer also highlights a significant gap: no thematic area demonstrates full utilization of available data. Even where datasets are accessible and technically open, there is widespread underuse across sectors. This points to a broader challenge—the presence of data does not guarantee impact. Barriers such as limited data literacy, weak dissemination strategies, lack of interoperability, or distrust in data quality can all hinder uptake and meaningful use.

These findings suggest that investments must focus not just on publishing data, but on enabling its use. That includes building capacity within governments and civil society, supporting tools and platforms that facilitate interpretation, and fostering data cultures that encourage cross-sectoral collaboration.

The second edition of the GDB shows us that while data use is happening—and often for important ends—it remains uneven, fragmented, and far from its full potential. To truly unlock the value of data, countries must go beyond availability and focus on the ecosystems, skills, and incentives that turn information into action.