1.1. Contact organisation
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
E2: Environmental statistics and accounts; sustainable development
1.3. Contact name
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
e-mail contact : ESTAT-SDG-MONITORING@ec.europa.eu
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
1.8. Contact fax number
2.1. Metadata last certified
28 February 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
3 March 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
13 February 2025
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 4 on ensuring inclusive and quality education for all which is embedded in the European Commission's Priorities under ‘A new plan for Europe's sustainable prosperity and competitiveness’, ‘Supporting people, strengthening our societies and our social model’ and ‘Protecting our democracy, upholding our values’.
SDG 4 seeks to ensure people have access to equitable and quality education through all stages of life, as well as to increase the number of young people and adults who have the relevant skills for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. The goal also envisages the elimination of gender and income disparities in access to education.
Digital skills are of critical value for working, learning and social interaction.
The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan and the 2030 Digital Compass: the European way to the Digital Decade set a target for the EU to raise the share of people aged 16 to 74 who have at least basic digital skills to 80 % in 2030.
4.1. Data description
This indicator measures the share of people aged 16 to 74 who have at least basic digital skills. It is a composite indicator based on selected activities performed by individuals on the internet in specific areas: information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, digital content creation, safety and problem solving. The indicator assesses digital skills classified into six levels, of which the two highest constitute the basic or above basic level of digital skills. The indicator is based on data from the EU survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals.
4.2. Unit of measure
% of individuals aged 16 to 74.
4.3. Reference Period
3 months prior to the survey or 12 months prior to the survey (depending on the variable feeding into the composite indicator)
4.4. Accuracy - overall
The indicator is produced according to the high-level quality standards of European Statistics. Details on accuracy can be found in the metadata of the source datasets (see link to related metadata).
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
ESS (ICT survey)
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: European Statistical System (ESS); EU survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals (ICT Survey)
Data provider: Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, based on data reported by the countries.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every 2 years5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
The indicator is updated every second year. Complete and updated ESS data release information can be accessed via Eurostat release calendar.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+0 years5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated at the end of the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States respectively other presented countries.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
< 5 years6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
The digital skills indicator methodology has changed substantially to reflect the Digital Competence Framework 2.0. As a consequence, 2021 is the beginning of a new time series.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
< 3 data points6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Indicator with only two data points due to the methodological revision in 2021.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards SDGs in the EU context).
7.2. Dissemination format - online database
See table sdg_04_70
7.3. Dissemination format - other
Eurostat dedicated section on SDGs: Eurostat Overview.
Copyrights: Eurostat Copyright/Licence Policy is applicable.
