Briefing Note: Where is all the Data

Subject: Understanding the Global Distribution and Methods of Data Creation

Purpose: This briefing note summarises insights into the geographical distribution of data creation and the predominant methods by which data is generated across different regions. The information helps in understanding global data dynamics, regional strengths and potential areas for policy development, investment or further research.

Key Insights:

Global Distribution of Data Creation:

• Asia leads in total data creation, generating approximately 2,000 exabytes (EB) per year, driven by large populations and rapid technological growth.
• North America and Europe follow, producing 1,500 EB/year and 1,000 EB/year, respectively, with North America hosting the largest share of global data centres (45%).
• Latin America and Africa contribute significantly less in terms of volume, with 300 EB/year and 200 EB/year respectively but are emerging regions in data creation, particularly in mobile and fintech sectors.
1. Data Centres:
• North America holds 45% of the world’s data centres, benefiting from its technological infrastructure and economic activities.
• Europe, with 25%, is guided by stringent data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR), influencing its data management practices.
• Asia, despite its high data creation, hosts 20% of data centres, reflecting both growing infrastructure and significant data sovereignty considerations.
• Latin America and Africa each hold 5%, indicative of developing infrastructure and emerging digital economies.

Table 1: Data Creation and Data Centres by Region

Region	Estimated Data Creation (EB/year)	Percentage of Total Data Centres
North America	1,500	45%
Europe	1,000	25%
Asia	2,000	20%
Latin America	300	5%
Africa	200	5%

 

3. Methods of Data Creation by Region:
• North America: Dominant in business transactions (30%) and user-generated content (25%), reflecting strong e-commerce, financial sectors and social media usage. Government and public services contribute 20%, with scientific research and automated systems playing supportive roles.
• Europe: Balanced across business transactions and government services (each 25%), supported by robust public healthcare and regulatory frameworks. Scientific research and user-generated content each contribute 20%, with automated systems accounting for 10%.
• Asia: Strong in user-generated content (30%) and business transactions (25%), driven by large populations and widespread internet use. Significant contributions from automated systems (20%), with government data collection also prominent.
• Latin America: Equally split between user-generated content and business transactions (both 25%). Government and public services and automated systems are notable contributors (20% each).
• Africa: Leading in user-generated content (30%), reflecting rising social media and mobile communication. Equal contributions from business transactions, government services and automated systems (20% each).

Table 2: Data Creation Methods by Region (Percentage)

Region	User-Generated Content (%)	Business Transactions (%)	Government and Public Services (%)	Scientific Research (%)	Automated Systems and IoT (%)
North America	25	30	20	15	10
Europe	20	25	25	20	10
Asia	30	25	15	10	20
Latin America	25	25	20	10	20
Africa	30	20	20	10	20

 

4. Emerging Trends:
• Asia and Africa: Show a higher percentage of data creation through user-generated content and automated systems, indicating growing internet penetration and technological adoption.
• Europe: Maintains strong regulatory frameworks influencing its balanced data creation profile, particularly in government services and scientific research.
• North America: Remains a global leader in business transactions and user-generated content, reflecting its dominance in e-commerce, financial services and social media platforms.

Conclusions and Implications:

• Economic and Technological Influence: North America and Asia are powerhouses in data creation, with the former leading in infrastructure (data centres) and the latter in volume. Europe’s regulatory environment ensures a balanced approach to data creation.
• Emerging Regions: Latin America and Africa are rapidly increasing their contributions to global data, particularly through mobile technologies and fintech, representing significant growth potential.
• Strategic Importance: Understanding these patterns is crucial for developing policies related to data governance, privacy and international data flows. Investment in data infrastructure, particularly in emerging regions, could lead to substantial economic and technological gains.

Recommendations:

• Investment in Infrastructure: Focus on expanding data centres and technological infrastructure in emerging regions like Latin America and Africa to support their growing data creation needs.
• Policy Development: Tailor data governance frameworks to address the unique needs of each region, particularly focusing on data privacy and security in regions with high user-generated content.
• Research and Collaboration: Promote international collaboration in data research, particularly in regions with strong scientific contributions like Europe and North America, to leverage global expertise.

This briefing provides an overview of the geographical and methodological aspects of global data creation, serving as a foundation for decision-making in data governance, investment and international collaboration.

Sources:

1.      Digital 2023: Global Overview Report — DataReportal – Global Digital Insights https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2023-global-overview-report

2.      International Data Corporation (IDC). (2021). The Global DataSphere: Available at: https://www.idc.com

3.      European Commission. (n.d.). Data Protection in the EU. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/data-protection/data-protection-eu_en

4.      China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC). (2021). Statistical Report on Internet Development in China. Available at: https://www.cnnic.com.cn/IDR/BasicData/

Authoring Tools: Blog Bunny

An advanced AI developed by OpenAI, GPT content is designed to simplify and explain complex concepts with authority and clarity. Specialising in transforming intricate topics into engaging, easy-to-understand articles, Blog Bunny employs its vast database and research capabilities to ensure factual accuracy and depth. Dedicated to enhancing the educational aspect of blog posts, a source for insightful, well-researched and expertly written content that resonates with readers across various domains. Blog Bunny can be accessed at https://chat.openai.com/g/g-8I5hFRY8p-blog-bunny

Disclaimer:

Please note that parts of this post were assisted by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool. The AI has been used to generate certain content and provide information synthesis. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the AI's contributions are based on its training data and algorithms and should be considered as supplementary information.