UK trails Sweden in technology rankings

Posted on Feb 12 2010 - 10:03pm by simon

The latest analysis of tech-hungry nations from around the globe has rocketed Sweden to the top of the charts, outstripping the UK with ease and knocking the USA into second place.

Professor Leonard Waverman developed the technique for ranking nations two years ago based on the way in which gadgets and gizmos are used by their citizens. Ever since it has been interesting to see which country is going to come out on top.

The chart is based on various indicators, including the availability and use of high speed broadband, mobile phones and PCs. Of the 50 nations included in the chart, all are assessed for the competency of the average consumer when it comes to emerging technologies and popular electronic devices.

Professor Waverman said that there was no chance of Sweden losing its place at the top of the charts in the foreseeable future. This is apparently due to an increasing gap between Sweden and the second placed USA as a result of better education and general levels of knowledge.

At number eight in the chart, the UK is at least in the top ten, although Waverman predicts that the government-funded broadband initiatives that are being instigated at the moment will drive an improvement in the rankings over the coming years.

A majority of the top 10 is made up of European nations and many may be surprised that Japan is ranked lower than Canada at number 10, contradicting the traditional stereotypes of its citizens as gadget fanatics.

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