On the phone all day, but the digital skills of young Albanians are among the lowest in Europe

The digitalization of administration, the expansion of e-commerce, and the growing demand for technology-related professions are making the mastery of digital skills increasingly essential for entering the labor market.

The widespread use of smartphones and social networks does not necessarily translate into full mastery of the skills required in education, employment, and the use of online public services, at least for young Albanians.

The latter remain among the least prepared in Europe in this regard, while they seem to use technology more to spend time on social networks.

Only 61.2% of young Albanians aged 16-24 had at least basic digital skills, according to the latest available data for Albania, published today by Eurostat. This level places the country among the worst-performing economies in Europe and significantly below the European Union average of around 75%. 
 
In the region, Albania is only behind North Macedonia, where only 44.5% of young people had at least basic digital skills. Montenegro performs slightly better than Albania, with 62.4%, while Bosnia and Herzegovina reaches 70.8%.

The results are significantly higher in Serbia, where 77.1% of young people possess basic digital skills. Serbia not only leads the Western Balkans, but also ranks above the European Union average.

The data for Albania and the countries of the region in the graph refer to 2024, while the latest Eurostat figures for the European Union countries are for 2025.

How are digital skills measured?

The digital skills indicator is a composite index that measures the concrete activities performed by individuals while using the internet and computer programs.

The measurement, according to Eurostat's methodology, includes five main areas: finding and processing information and data; communicating and collaborating online; creating digital content; security in the online environment; and solving technological problems.

A person is considered to have at least basic digital skills when they have performed at least one activity in each of these five areas. Eurostat assumes that performing a certain activity indicates that the individual possesses the relevant skill.

These skills may include, among others, searching for and evaluating information online, sending messages or participating in social networks, creating and editing documents, protecting personal data, and installing or using applications.

Three in four young people in the EU have basic digital skills

In 2025, around 74.6% of young people aged 16-24 in the European Union had at least basic digital skills. Compared to this average, Albania is around 13 percentage points below.

Denmark recorded the highest level in the EU, with 92.1% of young people possessing basic digital skills. It was followed by the Czech Republic with 91.7% and Malta with 91.5%.

High results were also recorded in Finland, with 89.9%, Croatia with 89.1%, the Netherlands with 88.5% and Ireland with 85.5%.

At the bottom of the EU member states' rankings were Romania and Bulgaria. Only 53.3% of young Romanians and 52.8% of young Bulgarians had at least basic digital skills. These were the only two European Union countries where the indicator remained below 60%.

Young European women have more digital skills

Eurostat data also shows that young girls and women in the EU are performing better than their male peers. In 2025, 75.9% of young women aged 16-24 had at least basic digital skills, compared to 73.3% of young men.

This pattern was observed in 22 of the 27 European Union countries. The largest difference in favor of young women was recorded in Cyprus, with 18.8 percentage points, followed by Slovenia with 11.6 points and Austria with 9.1 percentage points.

Only in five EU countries did young men score higher. The biggest differences in their favor were recorded in Malta and Romania./ Monitor