Relationship of Internet Activity to Economic and Social Metrics
John A. DeLeon,
Karen Loveland,
Katherine Taken Smith &
Lawrence Murphy Smith
Published: June 2022
This paper provides a multinational analysis of the relationship of internet activity to economic and social metrics. Analyses were made of 129 countries, all those with complete data for internet usage, economic activity, economic freedom, gender equality, and social progress. The internet facilitates economic development in myriad ways, such as businesses can efficiently offer their goods and services online. Findings indicate that countries with higher levels of Internet usage are associated with significantly higher levels of economic activity, Economic freedom gives citizens the right to control their own labor and property. Countries with higher levels of internet usage are associated with significantly higher levels of economic freedom. Gender equality and social progress are valuable components of a vibrant economy. Findings of this study show that countries having higher levels of internet usage are associated with significantly higher levels of gender equality and social progress.
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