South Africa dropped one place down to the 90th position on the International Telecommunication Union's ICT Development Index (IDI).

On Monday 24 November 2014 the ITU released the 2014 Measuring the Information Society (MIS) Report, which identifies key information and communication technology (ICT) developments around the world.

The main feature of the Report is the IDI, which ranks countries' performance with regard to ICT infrastructure, access, use and skills.

The ITU explains that the index combines 11 indicators into one benchmark measure that serves to monitor and compare developments in ICT across countries.

The main objectives of the index are to measure the level and evolution over time of ICT developments, progress in ICT development in both developed and developing countries, digital divide, etc.

Overall this year's version of the IDI includes 166 countries/economies.

South Africa dropped from position 89 in 2012 to the 90th position for the 2013 period in terms of the overall IDI rankings.

"South African, with an IDI value of 4.42 falls just below the global average," reads the report.

In last year's report South Africa was positioned ahead of Egypt, but this year the North African country has been ranked higher and has taken over the number 89 ranking.

African nations like Mauritius and the Seychelles, ranked 70th and 75th respectively, are the highest placed countries in the region.

North African countries Morocco and Tunisia also managed to stay in the top 100 of the Index.

Populous nation Nigeria ranks 133rd in the IDI 2013 with an IDI value of 2.35.

Meanwhile, the Central African Republic had the lowest ranking coming in last at number 166 with an IDI value of less than one.