Data-Driven Development Pathways for Progress

The report examines the potential and challenges of using Big Data for sustainable development, highlighting a 'data deficit' in the Global South where vulnerable populations remain 'digitally invisible'. It argues that technical challenges are 'complicated' and tractable, while policy and ethical challenges are 'complex', driven by power dynamics and a lack of trust. The document calls for new public-private data sharing agreements, updated governance frameworks that move beyond legacy mainframe-era policies, and the adoption of distributed identity systems to empower individuals. Key recommendations include establishing new funding streams for data collection, a global initiative on trust and transparency, and the recruitment of 'Factivists' to collect baseline data for the Sustainable Development Goals.

• The report distinguishes between 'complicated' technical challenges, which are tractable and known, and 'complex' policy and rule challenges, which are influenced by power dynamics, outdated frameworks, and a lack of trust among stakeholders.
• A significant 'data deficit' exists in the Global South, characterized by a 'data gap' (non-existent data), an 'access gap' (unavailable data), a 'governance gap' (lack of regulatory frameworks), and a 'usability gap' (lack of expertise to use data).
• Vulnerable populations often suffer from 'administrative invisibility', meaning they are not recorded in official databases, which prevents them from accessing government services and private sector opportunities like credit.
• Private sector data, particularly from mobile network operators, is highly valuable for development but sharing is hindered by commercial interests, privacy concerns, regulatory uncertainty, and a lack of trust.
• Current data governance is often based on legacy policies from the mainframe computing era and needs to be updated for networked systems, specifically regarding transparency and the rise of passive data collection from billions of sensors.
• There is a tension between centralized identity systems managed by sovereign states and distributed systems (such as blockchain) that emphasize the capacity of individuals to self-organize and manage their own digital identities.

APA

World Economic Forum (2015). Data-Driven Development Pathways for Progress. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEFUSA_DataDrivenDevelopment_Report2015.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Data-Driven Development Pathways for Progress. 2015. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEFUSA_DataDrivenDevelopment_Report2015.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Data-Driven Development Pathways for Progress |date=January 2015 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEFUSA_DataDrivenDevelopment_Report2015.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2015datadriven, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Data-Driven Development Pathways for Progress}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2015}, month = jan, url = {http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEFUSA_DataDrivenDevelopment_Report2015.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }