Three Dimensional Digital Dependence 2010 vs. 2019

2010

2019

© Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS), Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn *

The DDI data displays the steadiness of the global structure of digital technology dependence. From 2010 to 2019, the average DDI value of most countries shows only minor changes. However, the 23 countries differ regarding trade, information infrastructures, patents. For instance, the index weightings show that most countries depend more on foreign countries in information infrastructures, and patents than ICT trade.

Digital Dependence Change (Standard-DDI) 2010-2019 (in percent)

© Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS), Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn *

How did digital dependence change in the last decade? This graphic shows the development of DDI scores (indicators equally weighted) from 2010 to 2019, especially for seven countries. While Japan and Indonesia increased their dependence on foreign digital technology, Kenia, Russia, South Korea, the US, and China decreased dependence on foreign digital technology. On the other hand, European states remained at the same level of dependence on foreign digital technology.

Autonomy Gaps: 2010 vs. 2019

2010

2019

© Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS), Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn *

The lower the DDI score, the more technology-independent a country is. The following graphics demonstrate the autonomy gaps between the country with the lowest scores of digital dependence and the rest. The US mostly has a digital autonomy gap of zero because it has the lowest digital dependence overall. In contrast, countries such as Saudi Arabia and Australia display a significant autonomy gap, and they are much less autonomous than China and South Korea. In addition, regarding the sources of digital dependence, the autonomy gaps are most pronounced in information infrastructures than in ICT trade and patents. In other words, as the digital superpower, the US is most independent in information infrastructures. In the areas of trade and patents, the US levels of relative independence are less extraordinary.

Change of Autonomy Gaps (Standard-DDI) 2010-2019 (in percent)

© Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS), Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn *

For most countries, except for China and South Korea, the asymmetry of technology dependencies (autonomy gap) increased in the past years. It is worth pointing out that most countries’ digital dependence on foreign information infrastructures has grown. Japan’s digital dependence regarding foreign intellectual property increased substantially in recent years because Japanese companies’ shares in successful global patent registrations decreased. On the other hand, Mexico’s autonomy fell because of the disproportional increase in ICT imports. China positioned itself as a major technology pole. Both in patents and trade, China became a more independent technology power.