ANALYSIS OF QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE INDICATORS OF ICT INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE FORMATION OF AZERBAIJAN'S DIGITAL ECONOMY

Abstract

The study involves extensive comparative analyses based on the official reports of the State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan covering the last five years, as well as global ranking indicators of the digital economy. The findings indicate that although broadband internet access and fiber-optic infrastructure networks have expanded significantly in the country, there remains substantial untapped economic potential for increasing the share of ICT in GDP and completely eliminating the regional "digital divide." The scientific innovation of the article lies in the theoretical and practical substantiation of the strategic role played by digital infrastructure in preserving national economic sovereignty and enhancing resilience against global threats within the framework of new challenges. The research identifies that digital transformation is not merely a technological upgrade but also a decisive strategic tool for regulating imbalances in regional labor markets and internal migration flows. The practical significance of the work is that the digital optimization models and modern elements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution proposed herein can be utilized as a practical document by relevant executive structures to enhance the efficiency of state reforms. In conclusion, specific scientific-practical recommendations and future development scenarios have been put forward for expanding national cloud systems, big data analytics, and the formation of a cyber- resilient economic ecosystem.