The first Digital Connectivity Index reveals that the UK must build momentum to climb the international rankings and capture the significant economic and social benefits of better digital infrastructure.
The index, compiled by economic modelling specialists Oxford Analytica in partnership with Virgin Media O2, draws on thousands of OECD data points to assess countries across a range of digital connectivity measures.
Among 24 OECD countries surveyed, the UK currently sits in joint eighth place alongside Spain, Norway, and Lithuania:
| Country | Index Score | Rank |
| Denmark | 86 | 1 |
| Netherlands | 81 | 2 |
| Sweden | 80 | 3 |
| Finland | 77 | 4 |
| Luxembourg | 74 | 5 |
| Estonia | 74 | 5 |
| Slovenia | 74 | 7 |
| Lithuania | 72 | 8 |
| Norway | 72 | 8 |
| Spain | 72 | 8 |
| United Kingdom | 72 | 8 |
| Germany | 71 | 12 |
| Portugal | 70 | 13 |
| Belgium | 70 | 13 |
| Ireland | 67 | 15 |
| Austria | 65 | 16 |
| Czech Republic | 62 | 17 |
| Hungary | 60 | 18 |
| Poland | 59 | 19 |
| France | 56 | 20 |
| Slovak Republic | 54 | 21 |
| Italy | 54 | 21 |
| Latvia | 51 | 23 |
| Greece | 49 | 24 |
Although the UK ranked among the top third of improvers between 2011 and 2019, it still trails several continental partners on key measures of connectivity.
Improving digital access and closing the digital divide have been central objectives of the UK’s “levelling up” agenda in recent years. Public and private initiatives aim to extend reliable mobile and broadband coverage to underserved communities.
As part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme, Virgin Media O2 is collaborating with Vodafone, Three, and the UK Government to raise 4G coverage from approximately 66 percent to 84 percent in rural areas, addressing persistent mobile connectivity gaps.
Lutz Schüler, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Media O2, commented:
The importance of digital connectivity to the UK’s future couldn’t be clearer, and the role we play as an industry is profound.
With economic growth, new jobs, and a fairer society at stake, we are committing to invest £10 billion over the next five years.
We are increasing our efforts to support national recovery and help the country rise in international connectivity rankings, creating a brighter and more prosperous future for every region of the UK.
The research highlights a persistent digital exclusion among lower-income households: one in ten households earning £15,000 or less annually do not have an internet connection, limiting access to education, jobs, services, and social opportunities. Rural residents face a higher risk of poor connectivity, being roughly twice as likely to experience inadequate access compared with urban populations.
The study models the potential national benefits if the UK accelerates its progress and becomes the OECD leader in digital connectivity by 2026. The estimated gains include:
- £69.78 billion in additional GDP
- 510,000 new jobs
- An increase in the annual GDP growth rate of about 0.88 percentage points
Scott Urban, Senior Advisor at Oxford Analytica, said: “The Digital Connectivity Index demonstrates telecoms’ central role in levelling up by driving stronger growth and creating new jobs.”
Crucially, more than 85 percent of the projected job growth would occur outside London, distributing economic opportunities across the regions.
Regional modelling in the report shows notable local boosts from reaching the top of the OECD rankings, such as an estimated £5.19 billion uplift for the South West, £4.65 billion for Yorkshire, £2.46 billion for Wales, and £1.61 billion for Northern Ireland.
Realising these benefits will require sustained investment, coordinated public policy, and continued collaboration between government and industry to accelerate broadband and mobile rollout, improve affordability, and boost digital skills across communities.
(Header image credit: Nadir sYzYgY)
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