Cyprus records higher digital literacy in towns than in cities

People living in European Union cities tend to have stronger information and data literacy skills than those in towns, suburbs or rural areas, according to the latest figures from Eurostat.

For 2023 specifically, 85.4 per cent of people aged between 16 and 74 years living in cities across the European Union had at least basic information and data literacy skills.

This share was slightly lower among those living in towns and suburbs, at 80.4 per cent, and among those in rural areas, at 77.6 per cent.

Data showed that in 22 EU countries the highest proportions of people with at least basic information and data literacy skills were observed in cities.

However, in four countries higher shares were recorded among people living in towns and suburbs. 

These were Denmark, with 95.9 per cent, Ireland, with 94.4 per cent, Cyprus, with 90.4 per cent, and Belgium, with 89.4 per cent.

In Malta the highest share was observed in rural areas, where 91.6 per cent of people were recorded as having at least basic information and data literacy skills, although this figure carried low reliability.

Among EU member states, the Netherlands recorded the highest shares of people with at least basic information and data literacy skills across all three levels of urbanisation.

In Dutch cities 97.7 per cent of people had such skills, while in towns the figure stood at 97.4 per cent, and in rural areas at 97.1 per cent.

Besides the Netherlands, Finland, with 97.7 per cent, and Denmark, with 95.8 per cent, also registered the highest shares of people with at least basic information and data literacy skills in cities.

The lowest levels in cities were recorded in Germany, with 77.5 per cent, Bulgaria, with 78.0 per cent, and Italy, with 78.2 per cent.

Bulgaria, Romania and Germany also registered the lowest shares of people with at least basic information and data literacy skills not only in towns and suburbs, but also in rural areas.

In towns and suburbs, Bulgaria recorded 66.3 per cent, Romania 71.7 per cent and Germany 72.5 per cent.

In rural areas the figures stood at 57.7 per cent for Bulgaria, 64.9 per cent for Romania and 71.2 per cent for Germany.

High levels of skills in rural areas, besides the Netherlands, were also observed in Finland, with 95.2 per cent, and Denmark, with 94.2 per cent.