South Africa leads Africa in Digital Quality of Life

South Africa is ranked 68th in the world out of 110 countries and first in Africa in the Digital Quality of Life Index 2021.

The global digital wellbeing study showed that South Africa dropped down by nine places in the global ranking since last year. It, however, surpassed Kenya and Morocco to claim the first spot in Africa.

The second highest-ranked African country was Mauritius with a ranking index of 0.48. The index puts the country in 74th place globally.

The third annual edition of the Digital Quality of Life Index (DQL) covered 90 percent of the global population. It was conducted by the cybersecurity company Surfshark and evaluated countries based on a set of five fundamental digital wellbeing pillars.

South Africa showed better results than the global average in internet affordability at 26th but ranked comparatively lower in internet quality at 57th, e-security at 85th, e-infrastructure at 87th and e-government at 57th.

The country showed excellent improvement in the internet affordability pillar. South Africa’s index grew by 32 percent compared to last year, and it was now approximately 30 percent better than the global average.

According to the report’s findings, people have to work 11 percent longer (25 minutes more) in 2021 to afford broadband internet. However, they have to work 29% less (28 minutes less) to be able to afford mobile internet.

The world’s worst internet is also the most expensive. In some countries, such as Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mali, a week’s worth of labor is required to afford the internet.

The most effective way to improve people’s digital well-being is to invest in electronic infrastructure and electronic government.

The study is based on open-source information provided by the United Nations, the World Bank, Freedom House, the International Communications Union, and other sources.