The Open Data Barometer

Produced by the World Wide Web Foundation with the support of the Omidyar Network, the Open Data Barometer (ODB) aims to uncover the true prevalence and impact of open data initiatives around the world. It analyses global trends, and provides comparative data on governments and regions using an in-depth methodology that combines contextual data, technical assessments and secondary indicators.

Covering 30 governments in this Leaders Edition, the Barometer ranks governments on:

  • Readiness for open data initiatives.
  • Implementation of open data programs.
  • Impact that open data is having on business, politics and civil society.

While previous editions measured over 100 governments, the Open Data Barometer – Leaders Edition focuses on those governments who have adopted the Open Data Charter or those who, as members of G20, have signed up to the G20 Anti-Corruption Open Data Principles — which are themselves based on the Charter Principles. These 30 governments should — having made specific commitments — be leaders in the space. This Barometer puts this leadership to the test by measuring their progress and compares this with global results from previous editions.

This report is intended to be a summary of some of the most striking findings. The full data and methodology are available online, and are intended to support further secondary research and inform better decisions into the progression of open data policies and practices across the world.

The respective time periods under study for each completed ODB edition so far were:

  • Leaders edition the 15-month period from July 2016 to September 2017.
  • 4th edition the 12-month period from July 2015 to June 2016.
  • 3rd edition the 12-month period from July 2014 to June 2015.
  • 2nd edition the 12-month period from July 2013 to June 2014.
  • 1st edition the 12-month period from July 2012 to June 2013.

The research timelines for each edition were:

  • Leaders edition: between October 2017 and March 2018.
  • 4th edition: between August and December 2016.
  • 3rd edition: between July and October 2015.
  • 2nd edition: between June and September 2014.
  • 1st edition: between July and October 2013.

And the publication dates:

  • Leaders edition: September 2018.
  • 4th edition: May 2017.
  • 3rd edition: April 2016.
  • 2nd edition: January 2015.
  • 1st edition: October 2013.