Independent economic research & policy analysis.
Key findings at a glance
How Trusted Data Flows Can Create Economy-Wide Value
Trusted data regulation affects far more than technology companies. Easier and safer data movement can improve how businesses operate, connect firms with international customers, support new jobs, strengthen investment and expand the government’s tax base.
23K–412K
New jobs supported each year, in sectors such as tourism, business-process outsourcing and digital work
$1.1B–$5.5B
Additional private-sector revenue each year
$1.3B–$6.2B
Additional GDP each year, a 1–5% increase
$208M–$395M
Additional trade each year, mainly in digital services (a 2–4% increase)
$178M–$1.1B
Additional tax revenue each year, without raising tax rates
$9M–$58M
Additional foreign direct investment each year
THE ANALYSIS ASSESSES TWO DATA-REFORM PATHWAYS AND THEIR WIDER ECONOMIC EFFECTS
PPG and Caribou Digital combined international research, macroeconomic data, and economic modeling to assess the potential benefits of trusted data flows. The analysis considered improvements to local data rules and simpler, safer data sharing between countries, examining outcomes across employment, business revenue, prices, trade, productivity, investment, and tax revenue.
Modeled % increase from improved local data rules and safer cross-border data sharing, minimum vs maximum estimate
Figure 1: Estimated annual economic improvements from trusted data flows (% increase)
Impact of improved local data rules and simpler, safer data sharing between countries.
GDP
+1% to +5%
Trade
+2% to +4%
Productivity
+0.6% to +1.3%
Note: Bars show the maximum modeled increase; labels show the minimum to maximum range. Source: PPG and Caribou Digital.
The central finding: Trusted data-flow reforms could support economic growth across multiple areas, including employment, business activity, trade, investment, and public finances. The scale of the benefits depends on the reforms implemented and the outcomes achieved.
