Global No.1: Malaysia Tops Open Data Rankings via OpenDOSM NextGen

Malaysia has reached a historic milestone by ranking number one in the global Open Data Inventory (Odin) 2024/25, thanks to its innovative OpenDOSM NextGen platform. OpenDOSM NextGen was launched in 2023 by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) OpenDOSM NextGen hosts over 645 datasets with interactive catalogues and visualisations to enhance public access to important national data.

Malaysia made an extraordinary move from a 67th place in their 2022/2023 assessment to first place amongst 198 countries achieving a total score of 90 and an astonishing data openness score of 99.

Odin is an important measure of how well countries deliver data accessibility and transparency, according to chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin. OpenDOSM is open access to data and bridges the gap between policymakers and the public, he said of the diverse offerings ranging from economic and environmental data, gender-based and district statistics.

The platform’s global footprint has increased with interest expressed by countries such as Qatar which is inviting Malaysia to share its best practices. The key enablers of the platform’s success includes Malaysia’s (DOSM) reform programme, working groups and initiatives to elevate data literacy. Significant effort was placed on data related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), being a pivotal element of scoring in Odin’s revised methodology.

To maintain its number one position, DOSM has developed an Odin Self-Assessment Dashboard to allow for tracking of progress in real time. OpenDOSM is also equipped with an Advanced Release Calendar (ARC) and is introducing email subscriptions to support timely and effective access to new datasets.

The Odin report is published by Open Data Watch every two years and supports global data transparency through the assessment of national statistics availability, coverage and accessibility.