The GovTech Maturity Index (GTMI) is one of the World Bank’s most comprehensive tools for measuring digital transformation in the public sector. It aims to complement existing country measurement tools and diagnostics by providing a basis for assessing GovTech maturity and identifying areas for improvement. The index assesses four key indicators of countries’ digital transformation: citizen engagement, public services, GovTech enablers and core government systems.
The first GTMI was released by the World Bank in 2020, at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. That year, although Lithuania was classified as one of the world’s GovTech leaders, it was ranked much lower at 39th. However, since GovTech maturity was first measured, Lithuania has managed to make a serious mark on its digital transformation achievements.
The indicator where Lithuania scored highest was public services. One of the best examples that helped the index rise is the STI’s Income Tax Return Wizard, launched in 2020. This handy tool, which has replaced dull and manually completed forms, allows residents to easily view and validate their income declarations at the touch of a few buttons.
Another indicator that has risen significantly over the last few years and, according to the data, has helped Lithuania to 8th place is the GovTech enablers index. In Lithuania, the GovTech Lab team at Innovation Agency Lithuania has been working in this area for three years. It is this team that has significantly improved Lithuania’s score.
Romualda Stragienė, Director of Innovation Agency Lithuania: ‘Although three years does not seem like a long period of time, we can see with our own eyes how the public sector is changing – it is experimenting more and more with the latest technological solutions, and is more willing to cooperate with innovative companies. The GovTech Lab’s activities also contribute to a cultural change by raising the public sector’s innovative skills to help organisations implement digital projects. It is gratifying that this is appreciated by organisations such as the World Bank’.
The other two indicators where Lithuania was evaluated in the context of digital transformation were citizen engagement featuring the ePilietis platform, and core government systems, where the resource cloud of state information – the ePaslaugos platform – and other systems were assessed.
GovTech (government technologies) is a global market of more than EUR 400 billion that develops cutting-edge technology solutions for the public sector.
