Since the last edition of the survey, in 2008, governments have made great strides in development of online services, especially in middle-income countries. The costs associated with telecommunication infrastructure and human capital continue to impede e-government development. However, effective strategies and legal frameworks can compensate significantly, even in least developed countries. Those who are able to harness the potential of expanded broadband access in developed regions and mobile cellular networks in developing countries to advance the UN development agenda have much to gain going forward.

Part 1 of the survey breaks into the following chapters: 'Stimulus funds, transparency and public trust' (Chapter 1); 'Roles for e-government in financial regulation and monitoring' (Chapter 2); 'E-service delivery and the MDGs' [Millenium Development Goals] (Chapter 3).

Part 2 features three more chapters, respectively: 'World e-government rankings' (Chapter 4); 'Citizen Empowerment and inclusion' (Chapter 5); 'Measuring e-government' (Chapter 6).

12 European countries (10 EU Members States and 2 EFTA countries) appear among the top 20 countries in the E-Government Development Index. Likewise, 9 EU Member States rank among the 20 world leaders in the E-Participation Index.

From: http://www.epractice.eu/en/library/313483

for a link: http://www2.unpan.org/egovkb/global_reports/10report.htm