These Are the 7 Provinces with the Best Improvement in Digital Competitiveness in 2024

The digital competitiveness of several Indonesian provinces strengthened in 2024, supported by various regional development programs related to digitalization.

This is evident from the East Ventures – Digital Competitiveness Index (EV-DCI) 2024 report, a research collaboration between East Ventures and the research institution Katadata Insight Center (KIC).

East Ventures has routinely released the EV-DCI report since 2020 to measure and monitor the development of Indonesia's digital competitiveness, from regional to national scales. In the fifth edition of the EV-DCI launched in 2024, the index measurement was conducted in 38 provinces and 157 cities/regencies.

The EV-DCI measures the digital competitiveness of each region based on 3 sub-indices containing 9 assessment pillars, with the following details:

* Input: Human Resources, Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), ICT Expenditure
* Output: Economy, Entrepreneurship and Productivity, Employment
* Supporting Factors: Infrastructure, Finance, Regulation and Regional Government Capacity

The results are then formulated into a score of 0-100. The higher the score, the better the digital competitiveness of a region is assumed to be.

In 2024, seven provinces showed the most significant index score increase (increase >2 points compared to 2023), namely Gorontalo, DKI Jakarta, North Sumatra, Southeast Sulawesi, Bali, Riau Islands, and East Kalimantan.

Here are the details of the EV-DCI score increase in these seven provinces, along with a brief overview of the factors supporting their digital competitiveness.

1. Gorontalo

Gorontalo achieved an EV-DCI score of 38.1 points in 2024, an increase of three points compared to last year's score. This point increase difference is the highest compared to other provinces.

The increase in Gorontalo's score is partly supported by the Digital Savvy Youth (Recak Digital) program implemented by the local Diskominfo since 2022. This program aims to prepare human resources who are responsive and resilient in the digital space, and has involved 18 schools and 800 high school/vocational school students.

The Gorontalo Provincial Government also held a Digital Entrepreneurship Academy (DEA) training to educate MSMEs on the basics of digital marketing through social media and e-commerce.

2. DKI Jakarta

In 2024, DKI Jakarta again achieved the highest national EV-DCI score, for the fifth consecutive time since 2020. However, the rate of score increase this time is slightly below Gorontalo. DKI Jakarta's score in 2024 reached 78.2 points, an increase of 2.6 points compared to last year.

The increase in DKI Jakarta's score is partly supported by the growth in the ratio of residents accessing the internet from schools. This reflects the local government's efforts to increase digitalization in the education sector.

DKI Jakarta is also very strong in the Entrepreneurship and Productivity pillar, which is partly supported by the existence of the Future City Hub, a co-working space and a meeting place between the Provincial Government and startups, academics, and other partners to solve urban problems.

3. North Sumatra

North Sumatra achieved an EV-DCI score of 46 points in 2024, an increase of 2.6 points from last year's score.

This score increase is supported, among other things, by the Digital Literacy program from the North Sumatra Provincial Government targeting high school and university students.

The local Provincial Government also has a Fast Track Digitalization (FTD) program which includes digital marketing training for 1,000 cooperative and MSME actors.

4. Southeast Sulawesi

In 2024, Southeast Sulawesi achieved an EV-DCI score of 37.8 points, an increase of 2.6 points compared to last year's score.

Southeast Sulawesi's score increased significantly because it is the location of a number of national digital network infrastructure projects. One of them is the construction of the universal service obligation (USO) BTS transmission by BAKTI Kominfo.

5. Bali

Bali achieved an EV-DCI score of 49.9 points in 2024, an increase of 2.5 points compared to last year. This increase is mainly driven by the Infrastructure and ICT Usage pillars.

Through the Bali Smart Island program, the local Provincial Government has provided free Wi-Fi in 2,150 traditional villages, 107 community health centers, 204 tourist attractions, and 158 equivalent high schools spread across 9 regencies.

100% of Bali's regional tax revenue and 66% of regional levy revenue are also received through non-cash channels.

6. Riau Islands

In 2024, the Riau Islands achieved an EV-DCI score of 47.8 points, an increase of 2.5 points from last year's score.

The improvement in the digital competitiveness of the Riau Islands is partly supported by the increase in the ratio of residents accessing the internet through laptops, and the ratio of households owning computers.

The local Provincial Government also carries out the digitalization of regional financial management through the Concise Liquidation Information System (SIPANGKAS). This system is expected to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of government services.

7. East Kalimantan

East Kalimantan achieved an EV-DCI score of 46.8 points in 2024, up 2.4 points from last year's score.

The score increase is supported, among other things, by the increase in the ratio of residents accessing the internet from schools, and the presence of 50 fiber optic points in 6 cities/regencies provided by the local Provincial Government.

According to the East Kalimantan Disperindagkop, digital MSMEs in this province also increase by 10% every year thanks to programs such as Shopee Campus (digital marketing training), and the MSME e-Catalog (for government procurement of goods and services).

Remaining Disparities

Although several provinces have strengthened, there are also a number of provinces whose digital competitiveness weakened in 2024.

The most significant weakening was recorded in West Papua, South Papua, Southwest Papua, Central Papua, and the Papua Mountains, where their EV-DCI scores fell by three points or more.

The EV-DCI research team also found that the national score gap tended to widen.

In 2024, the spread or difference between the highest (DKI Jakarta - 78.2) and lowest (Papua Mountains - 17.8) provincial scores reached 60.4 points, widening compared to 2023 which had a difference of 52.4 points.

According to the EV-DCI research team, the widening of this spread is influenced by various factors, such as differences in the rate of digital development in each province, and the slowdown in development due to macroeconomic factors that then affect people's purchasing power.

The EV-DCI report and its complete analysis can be downloaded at east.vc/DCI.

Also see the complete list of EV-DCI scores in 38 Indonesian provinces in 2024, sorted from highest to lowest:

1. DKI Jakarta: 78.2 points
2. West Java: 60 points
3. East Java: 52.3 points
4. Yogyakarta: 51.2 points
5. Banten: 50.3 points
6. Bali: 49.9 points
7. Riau Islands: 47.8 points
8. East Kalimantan: 46.8 points
9. North Sumatra: 46 points
10. Central Java: 45.7 points
11. South Sulawesi: 43 points
12. West Sumatra: 42 points
13. North Kalimantan: 39.1 points
14. Riau: 38.7 points
15. South Kalimantan: 38.6 points
16. Bengkulu: 38.5 points
17. North Sulawesi: 38.5 points
18. Bangka Belitung Islands: 38.2 points
19. Jambi: 38.1 points
20. Gorontalo: 38.1 points
21. Southeast Sulawesi: 37.8 points
22. South Sumatra: 36.4 points
23. Aceh: 36.3 points
24. Maluku: 36.1 points
25. West Nusa Tenggara: 35.5 points
26. Central Kalimantan: 35.5 points
27. Lampung: 34.9 points
28. East Nusa Tenggara: 34.8 points
29. West Kalimantan: 34.1 points
30. West Papua: 32.6 points
31. Central Sulawesi: 31.8 points
32. Southwest Papua: 31.8 points
33. North Maluku: 31.1 points
34. Papua: 30.8 points
35. West Sulawesi: 30.3 points
36. South Papua: 28.4 points
37. Central Papua: 17.8 points
38. Papua Mountains: 17.8 points