OREANDA-NEWS. June 17, 2009. In a study of 70 countries from all around the world carried out by the Economist magazine and IBM Estonia climbed from last year's 28th position to 24th.

The North European countries Denmark and Sweden stand at the top of the list, with The Netherlands and Norway close at their heels. Last year's leader, the United States, ranks 5th this year, while Lithuania ranks 32nd and Latvia 37th.

The Estonian e-readiness index is 7.28 points on a ten-point scale. Latvia scored 6.34 and Latvia 5.97 points.

Denmark was at the top of the list also in 2004-2007, but sank to 5th place last year. Lithuania has climbed from the 38th place to the 32th this year and Latvia has kept its 37th ranking.

The e-index of most of the 70 countries studied has fallen, and only nine countries, including Estonia, have improved their index.

"The Estonian ranking in the list improved thanks to the fact that many e-solutions have been worked out and implemented by today, Riina Roosipuu, sales manager of IBM Estonia, commented Estonia's rise in the list.

The e-readiness index measures the e-business environment by means of different factors characterising readiness of the market to apply internet-based business opportunities.

The index is calculated on the basis of more than a hundred criteria.