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Reimagining the future of public sector productivity

This Economist Impact report, sponsored by SAS, examines the opportunities and obstacles of public sector productivity reform.

   

Unlocking productivity: Digital and cultural transformation must work together

Governments are realizing significant gains from investments in e-government, data-driven services and AI.

But these alone are not enough to deliver change.

The Economist Impact survey reveals that restructuring to an adaptive organizational design and digital transformation are the most important strategies for boosting productivity – and equally so.

   

Adaptive
organizational design

   

Investing in digital
transformation

Beyond productivity, digital transformation has wider organizational benefits

   

90%

When asked to consider the trade-offs, an overwhelming majority (90%) of respondents see digital technologies as offering more benefits than risks to their organization.

AI in the public sector: untapped potential

Globally, approximately 52%* of respondents believe that AI will have a significant/critical impact in improving productivity within their organization over the next three years.

  • Critical impact
  • Significant impact
  • Moderate impact
  • Minor impact
  • None

Global

9% 44% 38% 8% 1%

LATAM

15% 50% 27% 5% 3%

Middle East

10% 53% 33% 3% 1%

APAC

8% 45% 37% 10% 0%

Europe

8% 42% 40% 7% 3%

North America

7% 40% 40% 11% 2%

*All displayed numbers are rounded, so totals may not sum precisely.

How can the public sector unlock productivity?

This report presents survey* findings and qualitative insights, with recommendations to help stakeholders pursue ambitious but realistic productivity reform in central and local government.

*The research is based on a survey of 1,550+ public sector employees in 26 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, supported by in-depth interviews with experts from academic institutions, government bodies, non-government organizations and international multilateral institutions.