Digital Skill Disparities across Levels of Urbanization in the European Union
Digital Skill Disparities across Levels of Urbanization in the European Union

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the article is to examine whether the degree of urbanization influences the level of digital skills among the population in the member states of the European Union (EU). The research is based on current Eurostat data and utilizes paired T-tests to identify significant differences between population groups regarding the degree of urbanization. The findings highlight persistent disparities among the analyzed population groups, showing a higher share of individuals with basic or above basic digital skills in cities compared to rural areas, and also compared to towns and suburbs. Conversely, the analysis revealed that there is no statistically significant difference in the share of individuals with no overall digital skills between urban and rural areas in the EU. The integrated approach provides deeper insights into digital divides between cities, towns and suburbs, and the rural areas. This is crucial for developing targeted policies to support digital equity and mitigate digital exclusion within the EU. The article also discusses the factors behind the significant lag of certain EU countries (Bulgaria and Romania) in this domain. It further highlights best practices from leading EU countries (Finland, the Netherlands, and Ireland), focusing on their inclusive digital policies and educational strategies aimed at reducing regional disparities in digital skills.

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