From pioneer in GovTech to leader in digital government in the Americas, Digital transformation in Brazil's public sector is on a promising path. But are we ready to take the next leap?
The country has been investing increasingly in technology and digital initiatives, creating a more favorable environment for the development of new companies. This also opens up space for them to offer their products and services to the government. But we still have a lot of room to evolve digitally.
In this article we list how Brazil has become a reference when it comes to technology in the public sector. In the country, the judiciary and health have encouraging prospects.
Digital transformation in the public sector: what is the Brazilian scenario like?
The digital transformation in the Brazilian public sector is in full progress, driven by a series of factors and initiatives that highlight a scenario of investment and innovation.
According to the study "Before IT, Strategy“, carried out by IT Mídia, only a minority of CIOs and technology executives in the public sector expected a reduction in 2023 budgets, with the A significant majority (75%) planned to invest even more in technology throughout the year. This reflects a growing commitment to modernizing and digitalizing the services offered to the population.
An important reference in this trajectory is the Legal Framework for Startups, approved in 2021, whose objective is to create a favorable environment for the development of these emerging companies.
This legislation not only clearly defines what startups are, but also simplifies processes and offers tax incentives, making the investment in this sector more attractive.
Brazil also stands out in the Govtechs scenario, with more than 470 startups and SMEs offering solutions to public challenges. O GovTech Map – Brazil 2024 reveals a significant increase in the number of these companies in recent years, highlighting the sector's interest and potential to boost the economy and provide services more efficiently.
Judiciary concentrates much of the innovation in the Brazilian public sector
O Brazilian judiciary has stood out as one of the sectors that most advances in digital transformation in the country. Still according to the GovTech 2024 Map, 33,43% of innovation in the public sector are concentrated in this area, second only to the Executive (55,92%).
This prominent position is due to initiatives, such as implementation of innovative programs, the creation of digital platforms and the adoption of policies that guarantee access to justice through technology.
One of the main examples is the Justice 4.0, launched in 2020, aimed at promoting access to justice through actions and projects that use new technologies and artificial intelligence. Among the initiatives are the creation of the Digital Platform of the Judiciary (PDPJ), the 100% Digital Court and the Justice 4.0 Centers.
Launched in 2021, PDPJ unifies procedural processing across the country, connecting the procedural systems of the courts. The platform works like an application store, where each court can develop and share innovative solutions with others. This facilitates collaboration and the development of new tools for the Judiciary.
According to the report Justice in Numbers 2023, 79% of the Judiciary bodies have already fully adhered to the 100% Digital Court.
Health has promising prospects
As in other sectors, digital transformation is also impacting the healthcare sector in Brazil.
The Ministry of Health launched the SUS Digital program, establishing a new vision for public health in the country. With the aim of expanding the population's access to SUS services, the program makes these services more integrated and effective.
Another important point was the definition of digital health, established by Ordinance GM/MS 3232/2024, which covers a wide range of technologies and applications. It includes interoperable information systems, electronic health data recording, artificial intelligence, mobile health applications, wearable devices, applied robotics, among other innovative resources, among others.
The Conecte SUS program — today called Meu SUS Digital —, with more than 40 million downloads, is also an example of the advancement of digitalization in Brazilian public health, expanding its functionalities to meet the needs of the population and promote more accessible and efficient healthcare.
Innovation in the public sector around the world
Brazil occupies first place in the Americas in the digital government ranking made by the World Bank, surpassing even the USA and Canada. In the global ranking, the country is second among 198 economies evaluated.
O GovTech Maturity Index, which measures the maturity of digital governments, places Brazil at 0,92, well above the global average, which is 0,52. The ranking also includes South Korea in first place, as well as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Estonia, France, India, Lithuania, Mongolia and Russia.
In terms of comparison, South Korea, a pioneer in digitalization in the public sector since 1987, today offers more than 722 online services to the population. This initiative, driven by successive governments, resulted in a efficient and accessible system that makes citizens’ lives easier.
Estonia, considered a “study laboratory” for public managers, goes beyond mere digitalization of services. The Baltic country offers a digital ID with a chip that guarantees access to more than 500 government services. Due to this, the citizen's physical presence is necessary in only three situations: property transfer, marriage and divorce. All processes, including elections, are carried out digitally.
Why don't we move faster?
Despite significant advances in recent years, Brazil still faces considerable challenges. Several factors contribute to the fact that digital transformation still faces some obstacles.
Bureaucracy and inefficiency
The complex administrative structure of the Brazilian State, with rigid laws and processes, makes it difficult to implement new technologies and innovative solutions. The lack of integration between different public bodies it also prevents data sharing and optimization of services.
Resistance to change
The conservative culture present in many public bodies generates resistance to the adoption of new technologies. Fear of the unknown and lack of familiarity with digital tools can lead to inertia and the perpetuation of traditional work methods.
Infrastructure Challenges
Brazil's digital infrastructure still has deficiencies, such as low-quality internet access in remote areas and lack of connectivity in public agencies. This reality limits access to digital services by the population and makes it difficult to implement innovative solutions.
Information security issues
A public data security is a constant concern, especially with the rise in cyberattacks. It is necessary to invest in robust measures to protect citizens' data and ensure the reliability of digital services.
Brazil shows promising signs of leadership in the digital era, but there are still challenges to be overcome to reach maturity in the public sector. This, in turn, requires a joint effort from the government, companies and society.
Speaking of joint efforts, stay here on the portal and read about Softplan’s journey of innovation and specialization. Discover our vertical focused on digital transformation solutions in the public sector.
