Sustainability, Vol. 17, Pages 5080: Exploring the Link Between Digital Readiness and Sustainable Development: A Cluster Analysis of EU Countries

Sustainability doi: 10.3390/su17115080

Authors:
Martina Košíková
Petra Vašaničová

This paper explores the relationship between digital readiness and sustainable development in European Union (EU) countries through a two-level cluster analysis based on the 2024 Network Readiness Index (NRI) and selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The first analysis groups countries by digital maturity across the NRI pillars: Technology, People, Governance, and Impact. The second focuses on SDG performance in areas such as health, education, gender equality, clean energy, and sustainable cities. Results reveal significant disparities between digital readiness and SDG achievements: some digitally advanced countries underperform in sustainability, while others with lower digital scores excel in SDG outcomes. The study identifies regional patterns, confirms a moderate positive correlation between NRI and SDG clusters (rs = 0.526), and underscores the need for integrated digital and sustainability policies. Recommendations are provided for targeted policymaking and international cooperation.

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Martina Košíková www.mdpi.com