As discussed in the article on data aggregation, the Index uses a simple mean for aggregating through the levels of the data model to calculate Index and its components. With the exception of the BTI/SGI scaling discussed in our article on re-scaling and transformation, there is no active (re-)weighting of the data at any stage of the Index calculation.

Based on the structure of the data model we can calculate an implied weighting for the individual metrics and sub-components of the model, this is presented in the table below. However, each country has its own pattern of missing data and therefore the actual weighting of an individual metric on a country’s scores will vary depending on what data is does and does not have.

The implicit weighting for a metric is calculated as follows:

• Each domain has a within-index weight of 25% as the Index is a simple mean of the four domain scores.
• For the public policy domain each theme has a within-domain weight of 20% as the domain score is calculated as an average of the five theme scores, for the themes in the other three domains their within-domain weight is 25% as these domains have four themes contributing to the calculation of their score.
• Each indicator has a within-theme weight calculated as the inverse of the number of indicators in their theme.
• Each metric has a within-indicator weight calculated as the inverse of the number of metrics in their theme.
• The overall total implied weight for a metric is calculated as the product of its associated within-indicator weight, within-theme weight, within-domain weight and within-index weight.

The implied weights for individual metrics range from 0.179% for the metrics in the data availability indicator to 6.25% for the three metrics which are the sole metrics used to calculate the border services, procurement, and technology & workplaces themes. In total there are 17 metrics with an implied weight of greater than 2%, collectively they have a combined weight of 52.1%. There are 25% metrics with an implied weight of less than 0.25%, collectively they have a combined weight of 8.2%.