France - National Digital Decade strategic roadmap

The French strategic roadmap for the Digital Decade developed by the Government of France sets out the strategic goals to be achieved by 2030, monitoring their achievement, and the target paths and key measures have been developed.  

The report uses the data in the Digital Decade Report 2023 on the National Base Value of the Digital Decade Targets, the EU baseline value for Digital Decade Targets in 2023 and the EU target value for 2030. In France, 62% of people have at least basic digital skills, which is above the EU average of 54%. France is also above the EU average for individuals with above basic digital skills (31% in France versus 26% in the EU) and at least basic skills for digital content creation (76% compared to 66% at EU level). 

The Roadmap for France consists of 4 chapters:

• Digital Skills 
• Digital Infrastructures
• Digital Transformation of Businesses
• Digitalisation of Public Services 

Priorities for the development of digital skills

France is currently implementing several measures that can increase the level of basic digital skills. The Skills and Jobs of the Future initiative has a total budget of EUR 2.5 billion and aims to meet employment or skills needs and to accelerate the implementation of training related to national Research and Development strategies in key sectors. Successful projects will assess skills and training needs in 2021-2025. Projects focus on training in upper secondary schools, in higher education and via long life learning, according to the training needs identified by the France 2030 strategy. 

As part of its Digital Strategy for Education, France is investing in the development of advanced digital skills, which is in line with the research priorities supported in the key digital sector. In addition to the investment in ICT specialists, there is a growing need to upskill and reskill the workforce in all sectors of the economy to harness the potential of digital solutions.

Measures contributing to the achievement of the target

• Strengthen digital skills in primary and secondary schools
• Develop new curricula in higher education
• Multiply and expand innovative continuing education systems
• Continue strengthening the network of digital advisors across the country
• Improve gender balance in digital jobs

Key challenges to overcome

The cooperation of all parties involved in the education process and the availability of the necessary support are essential, so special attention should be paid to activities to prevent these challenges:

• Equip teachers and support staff with high performance materials, quality resources and personalized training;
• Introduce parents to the challenges of digital education and encourage them to get involved;
• To encourage students to benefit from the benefits of digital education, regardless of their educational, social and geographical background.
• Increase investment in ICT professionals, especially ICT graduates.
• Continue to improve and retrain the workforce.