Austria

According to the Digital Decade report 2026, Austria is at 69.77% of individuals aged 16-74 with at least basic digital skills after an increase of 3.9% annually since 2023, standing above the EU average of 60.39%.

2026 Digital Decade Eurobarometer report for Austria reflects Austrian citizens' attitudes, priorities, and concerns regarding digital rights, AI, and the EU's digital policy goals based on research conducted between February and March 2026.
Austria has a high level of digitalisation, with strong digital skills, good SME digitalisation performance and advanced digital public services for businesses.

Austria has a National coalition for digital skills and jobs. The initiative consists of a collaborative effort led by the Austrian Federal Chancellery and four federal ministries, the Ministries of Ministries of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Education, Women, Science and Research, and Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism, and represents an innovative approach to cross-governmental cooperation that ensures a unified and effective strategy. The effort is national as well, with all federal states signing the Digital Austria Pact, demonstrating a collective commitment to enhancing digital skills and literacy. 

The Austrian National strategic roadmap for the Digital Decade developed by the Federal Ministry of Finance sets out the strategic goals to be achieved by 2030, monitoring their achievement, and the target paths and key measures have been developed.  

The Austrian National Coalition, led by the Digital Skills Office at OeAD  - Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation (as the implementation partner of the Digital Skills Initiative, is actively involved in digital re- and upskilling.

Austria's other initiatives include investing in digital education, expanding broadband coverage, promoting Quantum Computing research, and implementing reforms for basic digital competence in schools. Digital basic education is now compulsory for students in 5th to 8th grade. Furthermore, the Digital Skills Initiative aims to enhance digital skills across different domains by 2030 based on the National Framework of Reference for Digital Competence.