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The objectives of open government data initiatives range from enhancing transparency and accountability to increasing innovation and participation. However, there is a lack of knowledge of the extent to which the objectives of open government data initiatives are achieved. This article investigates the relationship between the objectives of open government data initiatives and the benefits delivered. A total of 168 survey responses concerning 156 open government data initiatives at different government levels worldwide suggest that operational and technical benefits are the benefits most often delivered, followed by economic benefits and, finally, societal benefits. Surprisingly, our study suggests that whether an open government data initiative delivers a benefit (e.g. increased openness, trust or innovation) is not significantly affected by having an objective related to the delivery of that benefit. The objectives of state- and national-level open government data initiatives are more often achieved than those of local- and regional-level open government data initiatives.Points for practitionersKey implications for professionals working in public management and administration are: attaining open government data objectives is easier said than done; the benefits delivered are most often operational and technical benefits, followed by economic benefits and, finally, societal benefits; the benefits are often in areas other than those of the open government data initiative’s objectives, suggesting a mismatch between the objectives and their attainment; state- and national-level open government data initiatives achieve their objectives more often than local- and regional-level open government data initiatives; and initiatives might mimic each other instead of aiming at delivering the benefits.