According to the statistics made in 2019, Romania ranks last in the ranking when it comes to performance in the field of digital services.
DESI represents an index that sums up the relevant factors for digital performance and takes into account the evolution of these types of services in the EU member states. The index focuses on parameters such as: the use of internet services, the integration of digital public technology, human capital and connectivity.
With a score of only 36.5, compared to the average of 62.9 of all participating countries, Romania is below Bulgaria’s score of 52.5. Among the world leaders of the digital market are the Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands, respectively Denmark.
However, the digital market in Romania has slightly improved its ranking over the years, in almost all dimensions measured by this index. Among the parameters taken into account, we are best at the connectivity criterion, because we have a wide availability of broadband networks, especially in urban areas. At the opposite pole, digitization did not enjoy an extraordinary evolution. Four out of ten Romanians have never used the Internet, and a third are only familiar with basic digital skills.
Digital public services
Although we are at the bottom of the EU in digital public services, 45% of Romanians with Internet access subscribe to ultra-fast broadband networks, which means the 3rd highest figure in the EU. Let’s analyze the demographic statistics a little! 1.3% of women in the workforce work in an IT sector, which leads to the 16th position in the EU.
Connectivity
Analyzing the criterion of connectivity, we are on the 22nd place in the list of participating countries. According to the report, Romania did not focus on the expansion of the evolution of Internet speed, which was born last year. Regarding the penultimate criterion of the DESI index, human capital, Romania ranks 27th. This is due to the fact that the basic levels of digital skills remained the lowest in the EU. Therefore, a proportion of 29% of people aged between 16-74 have basic digital skills (the EU average being 57%) and 10% have advanced skills (the average being 31%).
If you thought the stats couldn’t get any lower than that, let me surprise you! When we consider the criterion of using Internet services, we find that Romania ranks last. A large proportion of 21% of people aged 16 to 74 have never used the Internet (average: 11%).
Activities in the online field
On the other hand, Romanians want a job in the field of online activities. In a paradoxical way, the country ranks first in the use of social networks, with a percentage of 86% of Internet users (average: 65%). But when it comes to involvement in activities involving online commerce, videos, music or games, Romania is again below the EU average. The reason? Lack of trust in the digital world!
If so far the analysis has focused on the use of the Internet for recreational purposes, let’s take a look at things from the business perspective! We are ranked 27th in the integration of digital technology by companies (a well below average ranking).
