DIGITALIZATION AND E-GOVERNMENT INDEX: OVER VIEW OF CURRENT TENDENCIES

Abstract

The study explores how readiness to adopt digital services translates into actual citizen usage, examining the disparities and challenges associated with the "digital divide". Conceptual approaches linking supply-side government efforts with demand-side citizen activity are summarized, justifying the importance of developing mature digital ecosystems to support complex online transactions. Using Spearman correlation over 96 countries (N=96), this study has tested the empirical relationship between e-government maturity (measured by the E-Government Development Index; EGDI) as well as its 3 main subcomponents (OSI, HCI, TII) and a number of different digitalization metrics. The results show that the EGDI and its three subcomponents all correlated positively and very highly with a variety of digital sophistication and high transactional use metrics in the conditions of rapid technological advancement. The study found positive correlations between service maturity (OSI), human capacity (HCI), and high-value digital transactions like online purchases and bill payments. Furthermore, it was determined that e-government success is closely associated with higher desktop-based web traffic and lower relative technology costs for citizens. The determination of empirical links between supply-side indices and demand-side usage variables provides a new perspective on national digital maturity beyond mere readiness. Taking into account the resource potential and technological trends across 96 nations, conceptual approaches to a mature digital model have been provided, and practical directions for policymakers to implement targeted strategies have been determined.