Digitalization in the EU: digital economy and society index score 2017-2022

Digitalization of the European economy and public administration has been identified by the European Union as a key priority area in its policy agenda. The EU sees digitalization as being central to preparing member states to compete globally in the twenty-first century, as the bloc is currently seen as a laggard compared with the high-tech and digital powerhouses of China and the United States.

From 2017 to 2022, digitalization in the EU gained traction, as can be seen in the strong increases in the EU's digital economy and society index (DESI) score. The EU's DESI score increased by over 50 percent over the period, with a particularly strong increase in internet connectivity since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.