Dutch firms in top three in EU for digitalisation, Dutch population has best digital skills in the EU

© Hollandse Hoogte / Patricia Rehe
  • Dutch companies rank in the top three in the EU for digitalisation, and EU’s 2030 target is within reach.
  • People in the Netherlands are the most digitally skilled in Europe, and the EU’s 2030 target has already been achieved.
  • Level of digitalisation is highest in the information and communication sector, and lowest in the hospitality sector.

By 2025, nearly 90 percent of companies in the Netherlands will have achieved the basic level of digital intensity – a measure of their level of digitalisation. In 2023, the share stood at 83 percent. Meanwhile, 84 percent of people in the Netherlands have basic digital skills (or better), the highest share of any country in the European Union. This is according to new figures on ICT usage among companies and citizens published by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and Eurostat.

Almost 9 in 10 firms have achieved basic level of digitalisation

The degree of digitalisation of companies is measured across the EU using the digital intensity index. One of the EU’s targets is that more than 90 percent of SMEs (companies with 10-250 employees) should have achieved the basic level of digital intensity by 2030. This means that businesses use at least four out of twelve selected digital technologies. In 2025, 89 percent of SMEs in the Netherlands will have achieved this basic level (low, high or very high level of digital intensity), thus almost meeting the EU’s target.

Almost all firms in the information and communication sector are proficient in use of digital technologies

Among companies in the information and communication sector, 98 percent achieve the basic level of digital intensity. Indeed, 92 percent of companies in this sector achieve the two highest levels (high and very high digital intensity). Five other sectors are also above the national average of 89 percent, including real estate activities and specialised business services. Companies in the accommodation and food services sector (hospitality) are the most likely to have a low level of digital intensity, at 41 percent.

People in the Netherlands are the most digitally skilled in the EU

In 2025, the Netherlands had the highest share of people with at least basic digital skills in the EU: 84 percent. This means the Netherlands has already achieved the EU’s ‘Digitalisation 2030’ target. The target is that by 2030, 80 percent of people in the EU aged 16-74 years should have at least basic digital skills.

Digital skills are measured based on how people use information and communication technology across five different areas: information and digital literacy, online communication, computers and online services, privacy protection, and software. In each area, people’s digital skills are categorised as basic or above-basic. In the Netherlands, 56 percent of people have above-basic digital skills. This compares to 50 percent in 2023, and 48 percent in 2021.

People in the Netherlands are the most proficient in online communication

People in the Netherlands are the most proficient when it comes to online communication (sending emails, making phone calls over the internet, using social media networks, and expressing opinions on social or political issues online). As far as using software is concerned (such as word processing and spreadsheet programmes, but also computer programming), their skills level is lower. With respect to online communication, 99 percent of people have above-basic skills, while in the field of software usage 68 percent have above-basic skills.

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