The current incorporation of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) into a global digital economy is seen as a crucial development opportunity that could help diversify island economies and combat unemployment with new digital jobs, including online and remote work. Digital technology is also becoming a key factor in increasing the climate resilience of island populations and economies that are affected by recurring environmental disaster.
SIDS are a distinct group of states that face unique social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities and challenges. These include their remote geography, economic vulnerability due to small domestic markets, undiversified economies, rapid population growth without sufficient job creation, high vulnerability to the effects of climate change, and in some cases spatial dispersion of the population across many small islands.
Digitalization of the economy and society, including online and remote work, is now widely promoted as a key to addressing many of these challenges across different SIDS. This pilot study is currently developing a research project for submission to major research funders in summer 2024.
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