Canada and UK top global list of infrastructure investments for social good: shows new research from Economist Impact, Deloitte, and Duke University

• The analysis looks at infrastructure ecosystems in 30 countries and how they deliver on social, economic, and environmental outcomes
• Canada and the UK rank highest, with Nigeria and Indonesia receiving the lowest scores 
• Countries that approach infrastructure as an ecosystem, rather than in silos, deliver more sustainable and inclusive outcomes 

NEW YORK, NY, USA, 20 June 2023—With more than US$5 trillion per year in global economic stimulus and infrastructure spending forecasted annually, infrastructure investments in Canada and the United Kingdom are most likely to deliver positive societal, economic, or environmental benefits, according to the newly launched Infrastructure for Good barometer presented by Deloitte Global.

A ground-breaking research initiative by Economist Impact supported by Deloitte and Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, the barometer benchmarks the capacity of 30 countries to sustainably deliver efficient and quality infrastructure that addresses critical social, economic, and environmental needs. 

“We’re proud to support this research and Economist Impact’s Infrastructure for Good initiative. We believe that investment in infrastructure can have a transformative power on economies and societies,” says Luke Houghton, Infrastructure Advisory Leader, Deloitte Global. “In order to see the benefits, however, it is critical that governments and countries improve how they prioritise and utilise infrastructure, while supporting dialogue between key stakeholders and measuring its impact." 

The barometer assesses key aspects of infrastructure ecosystems across five major pillars, encompassing the general foundations of infrastructure for good (governance and planning; sustainable financing and investment) and key outcomes and dividends (social and community impact; economic benefits and empowerment; environmental sustainability and resilience). Canada and the UK were the only countries analysed to perform highly in all five areas. 

Overall, the barometer revealed that most countries prioritise governance and planning, however the execution and financing of infrastructure projects are often insufficient to deliver positive social outcomes. Less than a quarter of the countries analysed conduct strategic social assessments and 24 of 30 countries do not require projects to assess social impact. 

“This important research allows global countries and leaders to help identify gaps in planning and areas for opportunity in order to generate positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes,” says Michael Flynn, Infrastructure Public Sector Leader, Deloitte Global. “A strong baseline understanding is necessary for defining a path towards global growth and prosperity. It’s our hope that this research guides leaders in leveraging their infrastructure investments for the better.”

Social and community impact indicators accounted for the weakest scores across the 30 countries, with 60% of countries only engaging in consultation with local communities on an ad-hoc basis. The barometer indicates that countries that performed poorly could likely deliver better outcomes by prioritising community engagement, providing protection for workers and communities, and enhancing general access to public services. 

The research additionally revealed a “double dividend” in developing countries such as Brazil, China, Indonesia, and Thailand, which benefitted environmentally from efforts to transition to clean energy, and economically by realising strong economic returns and driving job creation. Despite this, insufficient institutional support to ensure pipelines and drive investment for projects prioritising social or environmental returns was observed in most countries, suggesting these benefits are not inevitable and may require targeted efforts. 

For more information, please visit the Infrastructure for Good hub: https://impact.economist.com/projects/infrastructure-for-good/