Do you know that 75% of the world's heads of state, are on Twitter?

Some government functionaries may think Social Media is bad but some others have embraced it wholeheartedly, as least to be reachable by the masses or to keep abreast of technology.

A recent survey from the Digital Policy Council (DPC) done in December 2012, shows that 75 percent of the world’s heads of state have a presence on Twitter. 

In 2012, the Digital Policy Council observed a tremendous growth in the number of governments 

embracing social media. "As more of the world becomes connected online, world leaders now recognize the opportunities social media holds as an informative and engaging tool". 

The DPC has been tracking this activity since 2009, issuing its first report Real  Leaders Tweet, its second  World  Leaders On  Twitter: Ranking  Report in October 2010, and its third World Leaders On Twitter: Ranking Report in August 2011. 

All have examined how heads of state around the world are using this digital platform to engage their citizens.

A total of 123 world leaders out of 164 countries had accounts on Twitter set up in their personal name or through an official government office. In 2011 only 69 out of 164 countries had embraced Twitter. The new figures represent a 78% increase in the number of heads of state and national governments on Twitter from 2011.

In terms of followership, President Obama again maintained the top spot of all world leaders, with a vast 24 million followers, adding 15 million followers in one year. 2012 was an election year, therefore, the Twitter account continued to be managed by the presidential campaign staff. Obama continued to occasionally post his own tweets, signed with his initials.

The second and third spots go to President  Hugo Chavez of Venezuela (3.80 million followers) and President Abdullah Gul of Turkey (2.57 million followers) respectively.

President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria occupies the 44th spot with 48,317 followers.

The sheer popularity that social platforms like Twitter possess make it clear that traditional media channels are no longer adequate or in some cases, even effective. Leaders seek to be where their people are, and are recognizing, more than ever, that the options for communicating with their electorate have been redefined.

Platforms like Twitter have emboldened users to “think global” in a highly connected global society.
Will this type of social interaction transform leaders -- the way they think, and the way they govern?
In turn, it is predicted that 21st century social technologies will continue to foster innovation and
spur progress toward highly evolved methods of communication.