Comparative analysis of E-government development status of ASEAN member states: Accomplishments and challenges

E-government enhances efficiency, transparency, participation, and democracy through technology. Recent decades have seen global advancements in E-government, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. This study assesses E-government development of 10 ASEAN countries and their global standings. It relies on data from the United Nations E-government Survey (2014–2024), and the key performance metrics of E-government progression include the E-Government Development Index (EGDI) and the E-participation Index (EPI). The findings reveal that the EGDI of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam has significantly improved over the past decade, while Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar have achieved moderate gains in EGDI. Additionally, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand have made significant progress in EPI during the same period, while most ASEAN countries have achieved moderate improvements in citizen engagement. The common E-government challenges facing most countries in the ASEAN bloc are inadequate internet access, low digital literacy, digital divides, and public distrust in digital platforms. Policymakers must prioritize investments in digital infrastructure to expand broadband access and bridge urban-rural divides. Additionally, resources should be allocated for enhancing digital literacy through educational initiatives. Moreover, updated cybersecurity and data protection laws are essential to fostering public trust in digital platforms. This study is the first to comprehensively compare E-government development and performance across all 10 ASEAN countries over the past decade. It provides insights into regional convergence and divergence through a mixed-methods approach.