Digital inclusion in Europe in 2020
Access to information and communication technologies for an active participation in social and economic life is one of the main drivers for the technological growth of a nation.
Information and communication technologies impact the lives of individuals and the ways in which they interact within their community.
Nations with a strong ability and political determination to develop a digitally inclusive community, have seen greater economic development, with a strong increase in the workforce numbers and active population. A strong increase in civic participation, education, the national health system and public safety.
This comparative analysis over digital Europe status, whose data source has been elaborated by Eurostat, analyzes two types of key indicators relating to European digital inclusion.
One relates to the percentage of people who have never accessed any online service, the second relates to the percentage of the European population that accesses the internet at least once a week.
Percentage of people who in 2020 have never made any access to the internet and digital services, broken down by country
In 2020 Italy passes from 11th position in 2019 to 13th position. Digital inclusion status has been improved, with -3% of the population not using the internet. From 17% in 2019 it has gone to 14% of the Italian population who never made access to the internet in 2020. A notable improvement and a good indicator, in line with the project taken for the digitization process and the implementation of the computerization plans undertaken by the Italian Government. A very articulated project, which requires the implementation of several reforms over technical infrastructures and the enhancement of the digital culture.
Northern European nations continue to improve with four nations (Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Luxembourg) reaching the target of only 1% of the population that does not use any digital service.
Data source: EurostatPercentage of people using the internet at least once a week in 2020, broken down by country.
From a first glance to Italian data, with a + 2% the situation improves here too. Passing from 74% to 76% of the population who access the internet at least once a week. From an overall perspective compared with other European nations, despite the progress made, Italy drops by 4 positions in the ranking. Taking fourth from last place, together with Romania, Turkey, Portugal, ahead only of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Bulgaria. Both Greece and Montenegro do better.
Unfortunately, even in 2020 Italy remains in the group of European countries with the lowest digital inclusion.
To build a digitally inclusive Italy, several reform projects have been launched, which impact on the lives of citizens, require the participation and support of all institutions (public and private), both nationally and even small territorial communities.
It’s fundamental to break down all barriers that slow down the digitization process and the resulting access by citizens, both by reducing the cost of technology and broadband connection services, but also by raising the level of population digital skills.