Estonia
In the 2024 edition of the Digital Decade report, Estonia has achieved 62.6% basic digital skills coverage, compared to the EU average of 55.6%. This puts Estonia at 78.3% of the overall target for the EU 2030 goal, which aims to have 80% of the EU population possessing at least basic digital skills. The country has seen an annual growth of 5.4% from the previous year.
According to the Digital Decade report 2024, Estonia performs better than the EU average in both digital skills indicators. The percentage of ICT specialists in employment has surpassed the EU average, increasing/decreasing from 6.6% to 6.7% (EU average - 4.8%).
The Estonian National strategic roadmap for the Digital Decade developed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of Estonia sets out the strategic goals to be achieved by 2030, monitoring their achievement, and the target paths and key measures have been developed.
The Estonian Recovery and Resilience Plan allocates a substantial budget for digital objectives. The Estonian Digital Agenda 2030 focuses on digital public services, cybersecurity, and improved connectivity. Furthermore, initiatives like the construction of high-capacity broadband networks and the development of virtual assistant platforms (#Bürokratt) are set to improve digital access and user-friendliness in public services.
Estonia is also focused on advancing its education system through the Education Strategy 2021-2035, with goals to offer diverse and accessible learning opportunities, competent teachers, and responsive learning options. To foster educational technology, EdTech Estonia was established to increase the quality and accessibility of education by supporting EdTech companies and start-ups
AI & Robotics Estonia (AIRE) assists industrial companies in adopting AI and robotics solutions, aiming to increase digital maturity and investments in digitalization in the manufacturing and healthcare sectors. The Research and Development, Innovation and Entrepreneurship strategy 2021-2035 aims to increase the well-being of Estonian society and the productivity of the Estonian economy, by providing competitive and sustainable solutions for the development needs of Estonia and the world.
Estonia ranks 10th out of the 27 EU Member States in the DESI dashboard for the Digital Decade for the 'At least basic digital skills' indicator, with 62.6% of its population possessing at least basic digital skills.