Czechia's Digital Generation

Czechia's Digital Generation: Second in the EU, Germany 25th

As the Czech Academy of Sciences celebrates its annual Week of Science from 2–8 November, new European statistics provide another reason to be optimistic about the country's younger generation.

According to Eurostat, 91.7% of Czech young people aged 16–24 possess at least basic digital skills, placing Czechia second among the European Union's 27 member states. Only Denmark performs slightly better, at 92.1%, while Malta ranks third at 91.5%.

Perhaps the most surprising comparison is with Germany, Europe's largest economy. Just 62.3% of German young people meet the same threshold, placing Germany 25th in the EU, ahead of only Romania and Bulgaria. The EU average stands at 74.6%.

The difference between Czechia and Germany is almost 30 percentage points — a remarkable result given the substantial gap in economic wealth between the two countries.

What does Eurostat actually measure?

Digital competence is increasingly important in education, employment and everyday life. Yet measuring it consistently across countries is not straightforward.

Eurostat uses a composite indicator based on people's reported use of digital technologies across five areas: finding and managing information, communicating and collaborating online, creating digital content, digital safety and solving problems using technology.

To qualify as possessing at least basic digital skills, individuals must demonstrate relevant activities in all five areas.

Importantly, this is not an examination of programming ability or advanced technical knowledge. Rather, it provides a standardised indication of how confidently and comprehensively people use digital technologies.

Nevertheless, the differences between European countries are striking.

Why does Czechia perform so well?

Several factors may help explain Czechia's strong performance.

The country has a longstanding tradition of technical education, engineering and scientific expertise. Its schools and universities have produced generations of skilled professionals in mathematics, technology and related disciplines.

Young Czech people have also grown up in an environment where digital communication, online services and technology are deeply embedded in everyday life.

Germany's unexpectedly low ranking raises equally interesting questions. Despite its considerable economic resources and industrial strengths, Germany has faced challenges modernising public administration and expanding digital infrastructure and education.

However, caution is necessary. Eurostat's indicator measures digital activities rather than underlying technical ability, and the statistics do not establish the causes of the differences. Cultural habits, education and the ways people interact with technology may all influence the results.

An opportunity for the Czech economy

For a relatively small, open economy such as Czechia, digital competence represents an important potential competitive advantage.

As artificial intelligence, automation and digital technologies reshape industries, the ability of younger workers to adapt will become increasingly valuable.

Strong digital foundations could help Czech businesses improve productivity, develop higher-value services and move further beyond traditional manufacturing activities.

Nevertheless, digital competence alone does not guarantee technological leadership. Investment in research, innovation, entrepreneurship and advanced technical education remains essential.

Czechia must ensure that its digitally capable younger generation has opportunities to develop and apply those skills domestically.

An achievement worth recognising

Czechia is sometimes overshadowed by its larger and wealthier European neighbours. Yet these Eurostat figures demonstrate that economic size does not necessarily determine performance.

Ranking second in the European Union for young people's digital skills — substantially ahead of Germany and well above the EU average — is an impressive Czech achievement.

At a time when the Czech Academy of Sciences is encouraging public interest in science and innovation, the figures offer an encouraging perspective on the country's future.

The challenge now is to translate this strong foundation into innovation, investment and lasting economic prosperity.

Sources

1. Eurostat, 75% of young Europeans have at least basic digital skills, 15 July 2026.
   https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/edn-20260715-1
2. Eurostat, Digital Skills Indicator, dataset isoc_sk_dskl, 2025.
3. Akademie věd České republiky, Týden Akademie věd ČR, 2–8 November 2026.
   https://www.avcr.cz/cs/pro-verejnost/akce-pro-verejnost/Tyden-Akademie-ved-CR/
4. Note: Digital-skills percentages relate to people aged 16–24 and are rounded to one decimal place. The measure is based on reported digital activities, not a practical examination of technical ability.

Jeremy Monk
Investment Director
AKRO investiční společnost, a.s.
Prague, Czech Republic
Email: jeremy.monk@akro.cz

Disclaimer: This article has been prepared by AKRO investiční společnost, a.s., solely for informational and educational purposes. The information and opinions expressed are based on publicly available sources and reflect the information and assessments available as of the publication date. While sources believed to be reliable have been used, the company does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of all information presented. Nothing in this article constitutes an investment recommendation, investment advice, or an offer to buy or sell any financial instrument.