Nearly half of Europeans don’t have basic digital skills
A report released by the European Commission has revealed that 44% of Europeans aged 16-74 do not have basic digital skills. The study further predicts that 9 out of 10 jobs in the future will require these basic digital skills, meaning that Europe could be facing a digital skills gap. There are significant differences in the rate of basic digital skill literacy between EU countries, ranging from 26% in Bulgaria to 86% in Luxembourg, with the EU average being 56%.
The Commission has found that 40% of companies have difficulties finding ICT specialists and it predicts that by 2020 there will be 500,000 unfilled vacancies for ICT professionals.
The report also identifies the EU’s role in tackling this issue. When it comes to adults’ digital skills the publication highlights the Upskilling Pathways Initiative and the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition, which brings together Member States, companies, social partners, non-profit organisations and education providers to tackle the lack of digital skills in Europe. Over the last year, the Coalition has equipped 7 million Europeans with basic skills.
