Effective data management is a top priority for governments as it plays a key role in unlocking the value of data.* By opening access to public sector data sets, governments create opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship by nongovernment actors to identify and respond to evolving societal needs that can enhance the quality of life.
According to the World Economic Forum, public sector data sharing is estimated to create socioeconomic benefits worth between 0.1% and 1.5% of gross domestic product. The more data are connected, the higher its utility and value. Positive knock-on effects are created when data are combined with other data and indications are that sharing data and increasing access will drive up its value for all stakeholders.**
Governments are among the world’s largest producers and largest users of data as they aim to deliver better and more efficient public services. Data analytics can be leveraged to track, evaluate, and provide real-time insights on the flows of public resources (e.g., tracking gender equality, leakage or waste of resources, or the spread of viral infections) or trigger a response by a public service provider (e.g., in the case of a disaster or as a response to peak demand in public transport). Leveraging data can minimize the waste of resources and improve public outcomes.