## Measuring the Digital Economy

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Measuring the Digital Economy](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2018/04/03/022818-measuring-the-digital-economy)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2018/04/03/022818-measuring-the-digital-economy/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2018/04/03/022818-measuring-the-digital-economy/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2018/04/03/022818-measuring-the-digital-economy/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: April 5, 2018

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### Summary
- Digitalization encompasses a wide range of new applications of information technology in business models and products that are transforming the economy and social interactions.
- Digitalization is both an enabler and a disruptor of businesses.
- The paper distinguishes between the "digital sector" and the increasingly digitalized modern economy, often called the "digital economy", and focuses on the measurement of the digital sector.

### Measurement challenges
- The lack of a generally agreed definition of the "digital economy" or "digital sector" is a hurdle to measuring the digital economy.
- The lack of industry and product classification for Internet platforms and associated services is a hurdle to measuring the digital economy.

### Scope and focus
- The "digital sector" covers the core activities of digitalization, ICT goods and services, online platforms, and platform-enabled activities such as the sharing economy.
- The paper focuses on the measurement of the digital sector rather than attempting to redefine or fully delimit the broader "digital economy".

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## Content in this bundle

- **Measuring the Digital Economy; IMF Staff Report, February 28, 2018**
  - [Measuring the Digital Economy; IMF Staff Report, February 28, 2018 (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/pp/2018/022818measuringdigitaleconomy.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [Measuring the Digital Economy; IMF Staff Report, February 28, 2018 (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/pp/2018/022818measuringdigitaleconomy.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2018/04/03/022818-measuring-the-digital-economy_