Bermuda ranks number 22 in the world in terms of its use of information communication technology.

That is according to the latest Economist Digital Economy Rankings, formerly known as the E-Readiness Rankings, which show the Island has dropped one place from 21st last year.

Bermuda received a score of 7.47 out of 10 — down 0.24 points from 2009.

The study is divided into six categories, assessing 39 indicators and 82 sub-indicators. Out of the six categories, Bermuda was ranked in the top 15 in four — connectivity, business environment, legal environment, and Government policy and vision.

Michael Scott, Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and E-Commerce, said: "I'm pleased to report that Bermuda has maintained our ranking in the top 25 countries in the world for maximising the use of ICT for economic and social benefits.

"We were also, by far, the smallest country in the top 25. The Department of E-Commerce continues to promote the use of ICT every day, everywhere by everyone and which helps us to continue to feature in the top countries in an increasingly digital world."

Given the changing technology landscape, as in previous years, the criteria used to assess the rankings have been altered so that comparisons between this year and previous years becomes difficult.

Since 2000, the Economist Intelligence Unit has published an annual technology benchmarking study ranking of the world's largest economies using a model developed in cooperation with IBM Institute for Business Value.

Minister Scott said Bermuda must continue to embrace ICT to ensure we do not fall behind our peers and competitors and pointed to the report conclusion which states in part: "Innovative digital practices and applications are arguably being conceived and put in practice in the emerging world faster than in the developed world. Simply put, there are no alternatives but to become 'more digital' with whatever assets are available."