A major new global study has exposed a significant and growing divide between the world's digital readiness and its capacity to turn that foundation into successful, scalable businesses. The 2026 Global Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (DEE) Index Report, published by the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS) on January 15, 2026, analyzes data from 170 economies between 2017 and 2022.
The Scaling Bottleneck in the Digital Economy
The comprehensive report indicates a pivotal shift in the global innovation landscape. While investments in digital infrastructure, internet connectivity, and basic digital skills have seen rapid worldwide expansion, the translation of these assets into high-growth entrepreneurial ventures is highly uneven. The index measures the systemic interaction between digital infrastructure, platforms, institutions, and entrepreneurial agency.
The central finding is that startup scaling, access to venture capital, and the commercialization of innovation are now the primary structural bottlenecks, creating a widening chasm between digital capability and tangible economic impact.
Global Leaders and Fast Movers
As expected, high-income economies with balanced ecosystems top the global rankings. Nations like the United States, Denmark, and the United Kingdom lead, benefiting from strong institutions, deep capital markets, and mature digital platforms that work in concert.
However, the report also highlights regions recording the fastest relative growth. Sub-Saharan Africa and Central Asia showed notable progress, driven largely by foundational investments in connectivity and digital skill development. This suggests the initial building blocks are being put in place, though the jump to scaling remains a hurdle.
A Call for a Strategic Pivot
"We are at a turning point in the global digital economy," stated Prof. Dr. Zoltán Ács, Director of the Vienna Institute for Global Studies. "Digital access is no longer the main constraint. The real challenge is enabling entrepreneurship — particularly scaling, finance, and institutional coordination — so digital readiness can be transformed into economic value."
The report serves as a clear directive for policymakers, investors, and ecosystem builders. It calls for a strategic pivot away from a singular focus on expanding digital access toward strengthening the key enablers of scaling: venture finance, entrepreneurial talent development, and the cultivation of platform-based innovation ecosystems.
The authors warn that without such targeted interventions, the gap between a country's digital capabilities and its entrepreneurial and economic outcomes is likely to widen further, entrenching global disparities. The full Digital Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Index – Global Report is available through the Vienna Institute for Global Studies.
