IDC:

[This is an] updated index ranking the Group of 20 (G20) nations on their preparedness for Internet of Things (IoT) development. The original index was first published in 2013 but this updated index is now comprised of 13 criteria that IDC views as necessary for sustained development of the IoT and reflects each nation’s economic stature, technological preparedness, and business readiness to benefit from the efficiencies linked to IoT solutions.

The United States, South Korea, and the United Kingdom ranked as the three countries most ready to generate and benefit from the IoT. The U.S. scored particularly well on measures such as ease of doing business, government effectiveness, innovation, and cloud infrastructure, as well as GDP and technology spending as a percent of GDP. South Korea, despite a modest GDP, scored extremely well on IoT-specific spending and has a business environment that fosters innovation and promotes attractive investment opportunities. Similarly, the U.K. scored very highly on measures of ease of doing business, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, start-up procedures, innovation, and broadband penetration.

The standout country in the ranking proved to be Australia, which, despite its relatively small GDP, scored exceptionally high on ease of doing business and start-up procedures, government effectiveness and regulatory quality, and innovation and education. Australia’s scores point to a country that has the necessary ingredients for a business environment that is ready for the growth of IoT.