Digital literacy in Europe
The ability to navigate the internet in all its might and glory is an essential skill today. Avoiding online communication limits the possibility of connecting with many people, and certain services take longer if done offline, such as banking. The internet has worked its way into almost all aspects of daily life, but the shift to digitalization is happening so fast that some people, especially older generations, feel stuck with their limited digital skills.
Research conducted in 2023 found that individuals between 25 and 34 years of age would be more likely to have basic digital skills, with around 70 percent claiming so. Following close behind were those aged between 16 and 24 years. Additionally, Individuals aged between 65 and 74 years were the least likely to have basic digital skills.
Hungary, Estonia, and Lithuania presented the highest information and data literacy among other researched Eastern European countries, with around 73 percent of adults claiming such skills. Not too far behind were Latvia and Poland, with over 50 percent of adults.
Southern Europe also had a high share of individuals claiming to have information and data literacy skills. In Spain, 72 percent of the population reported possessing these skills, while in in Greece and https://www.statista.com/statistics/1497199/portugal-ict-skills-share-by-type-of-skill/, it stood at 68 percent and 64 percent, respectively.
Digital literacy has many aspects. In some cases, these are the skills internet users need to access online spaces, in other, more advanced cases, an average internet user who has an efficient digital literacy, can stay safe online and avoid being scammed or revealing personal details to threat actors. But it is important to note that that is not an indication of a person’s intelligence, as the ability to identify an online scam or a threat is not a simple one. Even the most experienced and digitally literate internet users fall victim such crimes, which highlights the importance of encouraging and motivating more people to learn and master new skills and be patient in the process.
Digital skills across Europe
Digital abilities vary from country to country, and there are distinct differences between the Nordic and Eastern regions. The Netherlands, Finland, and Norway were leading by the share of population, more than 50 percent, possessing above-basic digital skills among other European states in 2023. Meanwhile, Romania, Turkey, and Bulgaria had the highest share of individuals who had no overall digital skills.Research conducted in 2023 found that individuals between 25 and 34 years of age would be more likely to have basic digital skills, with around 70 percent claiming so. Following close behind were those aged between 16 and 24 years. Additionally, Individuals aged between 65 and 74 years were the least likely to have basic digital skills.
West, East, and South
Europe, especially the northern and western regions, have the highest levels of internet usage penetration. Among many factors contributing to this are high GDPs and overall more developed infrastructure. Unsurprisingly, in 2023, almost 60 percent of the Belgian population had either basic or above-basic digital skills, and nearly three in four adults stated having above-basic digital literacy skills. In Finland, almost 90 percent of surveyed individuals helped a family member or a friend in digital matters, and 36 percent frequently needed help in the use of digital devices. In the United Kingdom (UK), more than half of surveyed adults said they needed help with internet usage.Hungary, Estonia, and Lithuania presented the highest information and data literacy among other researched Eastern European countries, with around 73 percent of adults claiming such skills. Not too far behind were Latvia and Poland, with over 50 percent of adults.
Southern Europe also had a high share of individuals claiming to have information and data literacy skills. In Spain, 72 percent of the population reported possessing these skills, while in in Greece and https://www.statista.com/statistics/1497199/portugal-ict-skills-share-by-type-of-skill/, it stood at 68 percent and 64 percent, respectively.
Digital literacy has many aspects. In some cases, these are the skills internet users need to access online spaces, in other, more advanced cases, an average internet user who has an efficient digital literacy, can stay safe online and avoid being scammed or revealing personal details to threat actors. But it is important to note that that is not an indication of a person’s intelligence, as the ability to identify an online scam or a threat is not a simple one. Even the most experienced and digitally literate internet users fall victim such crimes, which highlights the importance of encouraging and motivating more people to learn and master new skills and be patient in the process.
