2026 State of the Digital Decade Report Shows Progress but Urges Closing Structural Gaps to Reach 2030 Goals

2026 State of the Digital Decade Report Shows Progress but Urges Closing Structural Gaps to Reach 2030 Goals

On 17 June 2026, the European Commission published the 2026 State of the Digital Decade Package.

This package includes:

• The main report (the Commision Communication ‘State of the Digital Decade 2026’) which shows that Europe has made progress on its 2030 digital transformation targets.
• Annex 1- which includes Progress and EU-level recommendations.
• Annex 2 –  Short and Long versions of country reports providing insights into each country’s progress in digital transformation.

The report notes that 96.8% of households now have basic 5G coverage, close to the 100% 2030 target.

Additionally, 60% of Europeans now have at least basic digital skills, which is an important achievement, as the growth rate in 2025 was higher than in 2021 and 2023. Despite this, in order to achieve the 2030 target, in 2025 the rate of Europeans with at least basic digital skills should have been 65.51%. It is forecasted that by 2030, only 68.48% of the population will have at least a basic level of digital skills, instead of the target of 80%. The 80% target would only be reached in 2037 if no further actions are taken.

Basic digital skills are essential for meaningful and safe participation in today’s digital economy and society. countries. Yet, a substantial share of Europeans still faces difficulties in acquiring them. Older people, individuals with low educational attainment, persons with disabilities, marginalised groups facing racial or ethnic discrimination, and those who are unemployed or outside the labour market remain particularly at risk of lacking basic digital skills.

Particular attention should be paid to the evolving nature of digital skills needs, especially as the acceleration of AI uptake is changing the skills required for full participation in society and the economy. Education and training systems therefore need to adapt not only to persistent gaps in basic digital skills, but also to new demands related to AI literacy and cybersecurity awareness. This challenge is especially acute for disadvantaged groups, including people with low socio-economic backgrounds, those living in remote areas, older people, persons with disabilities, and adults outside the labour market, who often need more accessible, targeted and flexible learning pathways.

Therefore policy recommendations for Member States included in Annex 1 is targeted policies and support for the most disadvantaged groups, including but not limited to people from low socio-economic backgrounds, those living in remote areas, those outside the labour market, older people and persons with disabilities marginalised groups facing racial or ethnic discrimination, as well as those insufficiently supported by formal education and workforce-based training; actions to strengthen digital and AI literacy and basic cybersecurity skills across the population, including through regular assessment and tailored education and training.