Taiwan has placed number one in the 2015 Global Open Data Index.
The index is a project of the Open Knowledge Foundation. According to the Open Knowledge Foundation, “open data and content can be freely used, modified, and shared by anyone for any purpose.” This year’s index compared the state of open data in 122 countries and territories.
Taiwan was ranked 36th in 2013, the first year the index was published. In 2014, Taiwan came in 11th place.
This year’s index evaluated the state of open data based on 13 criteria, including government budget, national statistics and election results. Taiwan performed well in most categories, with the notable exceptions of government spending and land ownership.
Vice Premier Chang San-cheng responded to Taiwan’s performance Wednesday. Chang said that Taiwan’s place at the top of the rankings reflects government policies, the cooperation of the industrial sector, and community participation. He said that the government has now released 12,200 documents, a marked increase over the 3,400 that were available in January. Chang called on local governments to join in the central government’s push for open data.