Digital skills are essential for participation in today’s society and economy. They support innovation, employability, and inclusion across Europe. While progress is being made, significant gaps remain. A large share of Europeans still lacks the basic competences needed to fully engage in a digital world, making digital skills a central priority for Europe’s digital transformation. Digital skills go beyond basic internet use. They include the ability to communicate, create content, solve problems, and navigate safely in digital environments. Across Europe, levels of digital competence vary widely. While some countries are advancing steadily, others continue to face structural challenges linked to education systems, access to training, and socio-economic factors. At the same time, demand for advanced skills is growing rapidly, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity, data, and AI. 

Europe’s Digital Decade targets

To address these challenges, the EU has set clear objectives through the Digital Decade policy programme. These targets provide a common direction for Member States and support coordinated action. By 2030, the EU aims to ensure that at least 80% of adults have basic digital skills and to reach 20 million ICT specialists, with a stronger focus on gender balance. Achieving these goals will require sustained investment in education, training, and workforce development across Europe.

State of the Digital Decade

Progress towards these targets is monitored through the annual report published by the European Commission. It provides an overview of developments at both EU and national level, highlighting where progress is being made and where additional efforts are needed. The latest findings point to a mixed picture. While some Member States are advancing quickly, others continue to lag behind. Overall, the EU is not yet fully on track to meet its digital skills targets. A significant share of the population still lacks basic skills, and shortages of ICT specialists persist across many sectors. The report also plays an important role in guiding policy. It includes country-specific recommendations and supports cooperation between Member States, helping to align national efforts with EU priorities and accelerate progress.

Explore digital skills across Europe

Understanding these differences across countries is key to designing effective policies and initiatives. The European Interactive Map allows you to explore how digital skills are developing across the EU. It brings together national data, policies, and initiatives in one place, making it easier to compare countries and identify trends. Zoom in on any country to see and compare recent statistics on basic and advanced digital skills and find out more about National Coalitions for Digital Skills and Jobs.