Korea Ranks 4th Globally in Digital Transformation, but Outside Top Five in Social Inclusion

UN DESA analyzes transition and inclusion levels in 168 countries
Inclusion outcomes vary despite similar economic standing
2.2 billion people worldwide lack internet access... Delayed investment brings losses

South Korea ranked fourth in the world in the level of digital transformation but failed to make the top five in social inclusion, a report found. The findings point to a need for policy measures to ensure that the benefits of technological progress and economic transformation are shared equitably among all members of society.

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According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs' "World Social Report 2026," included in issue No. 2026-40 of the National Assembly Library's "This Week's Report," published on Nov. 2, an analysis of economic, digital and energy transitions and levels of social inclusion in 168 countries from 2000 to 2024 found wide disparities in inclusion outcomes even among countries with similar income levels or levels of transformation.

The report said that transitions are accelerating in countries around the world amid technological advances, the spread of artificial intelligence (AI), climate change and geopolitical fragmentation, but that the benefits are not translating into greater social inclusion. Gaps between countries and regions were particularly pronounced in social equity and the energy transition.

The report also stressed that social inclusion should be treated not as a distributional issue to address after economic growth, but as an investment that supports productivity, resilience and sustainable transitions. In fact, more than a quarter of the world's population, or 2.2 billion people, did not have access to the internet as of last year.

The report also outlined the economic costs of delaying investment in social protection. It estimated that delaying such investment by 10 years would reduce cumulative economic gains through 2045 by an amount equivalent to about 12% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, compared with making the investment early.

To address these challenges, the report proposed education and lifelong learning, stronger digital and AI skills, universal social protection, expanded access to digital services and energy, and the development of inclusive labor markets as key policy priorities. It also stressed the need to strengthen multilateral cooperation, including by increasing development financing between countries, facilitating technology transfer and enhancing international tax cooperation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.