High e-literacy in Denmark and Sweden

28.06.2006

Eurostat survey shows Denmark and Sweden forerunners in e-skills in Europe. 

More than a third of EU25 population between 16 and 74 had no basic computer skills what so ever. Highest levels of e-skills were found in Denmark, 90%, and Sweden 89%.

Among older people the proportion of individuals lacking computer skills were higher. In the EU25 on average, 65% of people aged 55 to 74 had no computer skills. This percentage ranged from 27% in Denmark and Sweden to 93% in Greece.

Educational level is an important factor for e-skills. While only 11% of people with a higher education have no basic e-skills, this applies to more than 60% of people not educated beyond lower secondary level.

People with higher education tend to be more e-savvy; this is especially true for Sweden and Denmark. Compared to EU25 average of 11%, only 2% in Sweden and 3% in Denmark of people with a higher education have no basic e-skills, Estonia with 24% is last among European countries.

The current state of Europeans digital literacy has been investigated by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities. The survey from 2005 involves the confident and critical use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) for work, leisure and communication.

(Source: www.oresundit.com)