Some 84% of individuals in the Netherlands have at least basic digital skills, the highest share of any EU country, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
In addition, close to 90% of companies in the Netherlands have a basic level of digital intensity, a measure of their use of digital technologies. This represents an increase from 83% in 2023.
The basic level of digital intensity requires companies to use at least four of 12 selected digital technologies. The information and communication sector showed the highest level of digital intensity, with 98% of companies meeting the basic threshold and 92% achieving high or very high digital intensity.
Other sectors exceeding the national average included real estate activities, specialised business services, energy, water and waste management, and trade. Companies in the accommodation and food services sector were the most likely to have low digital intensity, with 41% not meeting the basic level.
Digital proficiency
The level of digital proficiency among the Dutch population is higher than the EU’s 2030 target of 80%.
Within the 84% with digital skills, 56% had above-basic digital skills. Digital skills were measured across five areas: information and digital literacy, online communication, computers and online services, privacy protection, and software use.
The population showed the strongest skills in online communication, including emailing, internet calling, social media engagement, and expressing opinions online, with 99% achieving above-basic proficiency. Software use, which includes word processing, spreadsheets, and programming, had lower above-basic proficiency at 68%.
Looking at the EU as a whole, in 2025, the average for companies reaching the basic level of digital intensity was 71%, while 60% of residents had basic digital skills. Read more here.
