Replication Data for: Digital Transformation of Brazilian Governments: Citizen Satisfaction with Digital Public Services

By Innovation in Citizen Services Division (VPS/IFD/ICS)

This dataset is linked to the publication Digital Transformation of Brazilian Governments: Citizen Satisfaction with Digital Public Services.

It presents the results of a national survey measuring how citizens perceive and experience government digital transformation in Brazil.

The survey explores key aspects of digital transformation in government, including:

  • How citizens adapt to the digital world
  • Levels of connectivity and internet use
  • Satisfaction with digital public services at the state, federal, and municipal levels
  • Comparisons with digital services offered by the private sector.

Findings indicate that most Brazilians are well connected and feel well adapted to the digital world, although inequalities persist across age, education, and income groups.

The dataset offers valuable insights for researchers and policymakers examining the transformation of the Brazilian government and broader trends in citizen satisfaction with public digital services.

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Metadata & use

Identifier https://doi.org/10.60966/jud8i0n4
License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Related Knowledge Product
Citation

Lafuente, Mariano, et al. (2022). Replication Data for: Digital Transformation of Brazilian Governments: Citizen Satisfaction with Digital Public Services. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/jud8i0n4

Published date 2022-11-08
Modified date 2026-08-26
Tags/Keywords Brazil · Citizen Satisfaction · Connectivity · Digital Governance · Digital Government · Digital Transformation · Innovation · Public Services · States
Language
  1. Portuguese
Temporal coverage 2020-2020
Country
Brazil
Region Latin America and the Caribbean
Publisher
Inter-American Development Bank
Author
Lafuente, Mariano
Leite, Rafael
Porrúa, Miguel
Valenti, Pablo
Inter-American Development Bank
Data collection type Survey Data
Statistical type Cross-sectional Data
Data structure Structured Data
Data notes

What does this dataset measure about digital access in Brazil?

The dataset captures how Brazilians access the internet at home and on mobile devices. For example, 86.7% report having broadband (Wi‑Fi) at home, while 94.7% say they can access the internet on their mobile phone. These indicators help policymakers understand digital inclusion gaps across regions, age groups, and income levels.

How widespread is broadband access across different regions?

Broadband access varies significantly. While the Southeast and South reach over 90%, the North and Northeast show lower access rates (around 84–85%). This highlights persistent regional disparities in digital infrastructure.

What are the main reasons households do not have broadband at home?

Respondents most often cite lack of devices (43.7%), no interest in broadband (43.5%), and high service costs (29.8%). These insights help identify whether barriers are economic, technological, or related to digital literacy.

How do Brazilians typically use their home internet?

  • WhatsApp dominates usage at 94.7%
  • Social media (87%)
  • Video streaming (74.1%)
  • News consumption (73.4%).
  • Educational uses, such as online classes, reach 51.1%, indicating strong uptake of digital learning tools.

How many people access the internet through their mobile phones?

Mobile access is nearly universal: 94.7% of respondents report they can access the internet on their phones. This makes mobile connectivity the primary channel for digital services in Brazil.

How satisfied are Brazilians with online public and private services?

A majority report positive experiences:
- 7% very satisfied
- 54.7% satisfied
- 6.9% say they are dissatisfied. This suggests that digital service quality is generally well received, though there is room for improvement.

How well do people feel adapted to the digital world?

Nearly half (45.1%) say they were already adapted to digital tools.
Another 24.8% adapted without difficulty. 12.2% report significant difficulty or an inability to adapt (particularly among older adults and lower‑income groups).

What devices do people use to access digital public or private services?

  • 87.2% use a mobile phone
  • 41.6% use a notebook or computer
  • 5.1% use a tablet
    This reinforces the importance of mobile‑first service design.

How frequently do Brazilians access digital services?

Daily use is common: 35.8% access digital services every day, while another 14.3% do so several times a week. Only 5.9% use them once a month or less.

How do people most often interact with their state government?

The most common channel is internet-based interaction (34.3%), followed by phone calls (17.3%) and in‑person visits (15.2%). This shows a shift toward digital channels, though traditional methods remain important.

How do residents expect state-level procedures to occur?

Respondents are split across channels:
- 26% expect to use a website
- 24.4% expect to use a mobile app
- 24% expect in‑person service
This mix highlights the need for omnichannel service delivery.

What does the dataset reveal about digital inequality?

Clear divides appear across age, income, and education. For example:
- Broadband access drops to 73.5% among those with lower education.
- Only 40.5% of low‑income households access online banking, compared to 84.2% of higher‑income households.
These gaps help target digital inclusion policies.

How can policymakers use this dataset?

The dataset supports decisions on: - Expanding broadband infrastructure
- Improving digital literacy programs
- Designing mobile‑first public services
- Identifying barriers to digital adoption
- Monitoring satisfaction with online government services
It provides a granular, nationally representative view of how Brazilians engage with digital technologies and where public investment can have the greatest impact.

How is the Brazilian government modernizing its public services?

The dataset shows that Brazilians increasingly use digital channels to interact with the government. For example, 34.3% report using the internet (computer, tablet, or phone) as their primary way to contact the state government, while 24.4% use mobile apps for state procedures. Activities such as requesting documents online (16%) and scheduling services digitally (21.3%) demonstrate the shift toward digital‑first public services.

How is government digital transformation improving citizen services?

Citizens report high satisfaction with online services: 54.7% are satisfied and 7% are very satisfied with their digital service experience. Additionally, 87.2% access services via mobile phones, indicating that digital channels are widely accessible and convenient.

How does digital transformation improve citizen access to government benefits?

The dataset shows that 34.2% of respondents used digital channels to request social benefits (e.g., Bolsa Família, FGTS, unemployment insurance). This demonstrates that digital transformation directly expands access to essential public programs.

How do Brazilians typically access digital public or private services?

Mobile phones dominate: 87.2% use a cellphone to access services. Computers follow at 41.6%, and tablets at 5.1%. This highlights the importance of mobile‑first service design.

How frequently do citizens access digital services?

  • 35.8% access digital services daily
  • 14.3% several times a week
  • 5.9% once a month or less
    Digital services are part of everyday life for a large share of the population.

How satisfied are Brazilians with their experience using online services?

A majority express positive experiences:
- 7% very satisfied
- 54.7% satisfied
Only 6.9% are dissatisfied, suggesting strong acceptance of digital public services.

How well are citizens adapting to digital transformation?

  • 45.1% say they were already adapted
  • 24.8% adapted without difficulty
  • 12.2% experienced significant difficulty
    Older adults and lower‑income groups face the greatest difficulty.

What barriers prevent citizens from accessing broadband at home?

Top reasons include: - No device (computer/tablet): 43.7%
- No interest in broadband: 43.5%
- High cost of services: 29.8%
These insights help policymakers target digital inclusion efforts.

What barriers prevent mobile internet access?

Among those without mobile internet: - 54.4% have no interest
- 27.3% do not own a smartphone
- 24% say services are too expensive
This highlights affordability and access to devices as key challenges.

Dataset files

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