India climbs 11 spots on Network Readiness Index 2024, ranked 2nd in lower-middle-income countries

India has climbed 11 places to secure the 49th rank in the Network Readiness Index 2024 (NRI 2024), up from 60th position last year. The report, published by the Washington-based Portulans Institute, evaluates 133 economies on their network-based readiness across four pillars: Technology, People, Governance, and Impact, comprising 54 indicators.

India’s score improved from 49.93 in 2023 to 53.63 in 2024. The country excelled in key indicators, ranking first in AI scientific publications, AI talent concentration, and ICT services exports. It achieved second place in FTTH/Building Internet subscriptions, mobile broadband traffic, and international internet bandwidth.

India also ranked second among lower-middle-income countries, after Vietnam.

“In terms of pillar performance, it has a score higher than the income group average in each of the four pillars. At the sub-pillar level, it outperforms lower-middle-income countries in eleven of the twelve sub-pillars: Access, Content, Future Technologies, Individuals, Businesses, Governments, Trust, Regulation, Economy, Quality of Life and SDG Contribution,” the report says.

In Asia-Pacific, India, in 12th position, has a score above the regional average in three of the four pillars: Technology, People and Impact. With regard to sub-pillars, it outperforms the average in Asia & Pacific in six of the twelve sub-pillars: Access, Content, Individuals, Businesses, Regulation and Economy.

Over the past decade, India’s tele-density surged from 75.2% to 84.69%, wireless connections reached 1.19 billion, and internet subscribers jumped from 25.1 crore to 94.4 crore, according to the ministry of communications.

The United States and Singapore retained the top two positions, followed by Finland in third. Sweden advanced to 4th place, while the Republic of Korea climbed to 5th.

Here’s the list of the top 20 countries on the Network Readiness Index 2024:

• USA
• Singapore
• Finland
• Sweden
• South Korea
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• Denmark
• Canada
• Japan
• Israel
• Norway
• Australia
• France
• China
• Estonia
• Ireland
• Austria