Policy: State of the Digital Decade
Report on the EU’s progress towards a successful digital transformation as set out in the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030.
The European Commission has published the first report on the State of the Digital Decade, providing a comprehensive look at progress towards achieving the digital transformation to empower a more digitally sovereign, resilient and competitive European Union.
It includes an assessment of the EU’s performance towards Europe’s 2030 objectives and targets focusing on four main pillars: digital skills, digital infrastructure, digitalisation of businesses, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and digitalisation of public services. It also includes the monitoring of the European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles, which reflects the EU’s commitment to a secure, safe and sustainable digital transformation, putting people at the centre.
The report is described by the Commission as a call to Member States for collective action to address the current investment gaps, accelerate digital transformation in Europe and intensify efforts to reach the objectives of the Digital Decade Policy Programme (DDPP).
Key findings include:
- Additional investment of up to at least €200 billion is needed to ensure full gigabit coverage across the EU as well as 5G coverage in all populated areas.
- For the EU to double its share in the value of global production of cutting-edge semiconductors by 2030, Member States should promote national policies and investments to further stimulate domestic chip design and manufacturing capabilities and to boost local skills in advanced technologies across sectors.
- Under the current conditions, only 59% of the population will master at least basic digital skills by 2030, and the number of ICT specialists may not exceed 12 million. Member States need to prioritise investments in high quality education and skills, and to foster women’s participation in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) from an early age.
The report also includes recommendations on actions, measures, and policies in areas where progress is insufficient. Member States will outline the actions they intend to take to reach the objectives and targets in their national roadmaps to be published by 9 October 2023.
Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, said:
‘The journey towards the full achievement of the Digital Decade targets is still long. Now is the time to take every measure to bridge the gap and ensure that the full digital transition is reached by 2030, without leaving anyone behind. The first reports serve as a useful guide on what needs to be done.’