The Digital Quality of Life (DQL) index by virtual private network (VPN) service provider Surfshark assesses and compares the relative performance of countries in terms of digital well-being. Specifically, it looks at how much time people have to work to afford the internet connection (internet affordability), how fast and stable the internet connection is (internet quality), how developed and inclusive the country’s existing electronic infrastructure is (electronic infrastructure), how safe and protected people feel when online (electronic security), and how advanced and digitized the country’s electronic services are (electronic government). Among 110 countries in the 2021 list*, the Philippines placed 48th, ahead of neighboring Indonesia (72nd overall), Vietnam (73rd), Laos (102nd), and Cambodia (108th).
