Data/Methods: This research uses information referring to: the implantation and use of ICT, economic development, competitiveness and human development in the EU-27. The information comes from Eurostat, except in the case of the human development and education indexes, for which the United Nations Development Programme was the source. Countries are grouped in accordance with some of the main Information Society (IS) indicators used in this paper to ascertain whether or not there are different groups of countries with different levels of development and where ICT have been implemented to different degrees. Once these groups have been formed, we determine whether they have achieved different levels of economic and human development.
Results/Expected results: This analysis enables us to confirm (or reject) the main theories that suggest ICT have a strong influence on economic and human development. Results show the existence of four clearly distinct groups of countries, which register significant differences in most of the variables related to economic growth and human development contemplated in this paper.Conclusion: The enormously important role played by ICT in economic growth and human development inspired this research, which analyses whether existing technological differences among EU-27 countries influence their economic and human development. This allowed us to detect in which there are significant differences. More precisely, we can see a need to boost ICT implantation and use in the most backward countries, as they are clearly below the level of the technologically advanced group in practically all the variables under consideration. This situation should act as an incentive for these countries, as fostering ICT can boost both economic and human development.
Key words: Information and communication technology, Information society, Economic growth, Human development.