In an era where digital skills are essential for integrating into the modern job market and participating in digital society, Albania continues to rank among the least digitally prepared countries in Europe.
According to the latest Eurostat data, only 51% of Albanian youth aged 16–29 possess basic digital skills. This is significantly below the EU average of 71%, highlighting a concerning gap between Albania and the rest of Europe in terms of digital competence.
Interestingly, in Albania there is no gender disparity—both young men and women show the same level of digital proficiency (51%). This contrasts with trends in most EU countries, where young women have surpassed their male peers in digital skills. In 2023, across the EU, 73% of young women reported having basic digital skills compared to 69% of young men.
The difference is especially striking in Croatia, where 94% of young women had at least basic digital skills, far exceeding the 80% of young men. However, the opposite trend is observed in five EU countries—Germany, Malta, Romania, Estonia, and Slovakia—where young men hold a slight lead over women in this area.
Daily Internet Usage: High Among Youth, Low Among the Rest
Despite low digital skill levels, internet usage among Albanian youth is nearly universal. In 2024, 99% of people aged 16–29 in Albania used the internet daily, surpassing the EU average of 97%.
However, this widespread daily internet use among young people contrasts sharply with the general population, where only 83% use the internet daily. This 14-percentage-point gap between youth and the rest of society is wider than the EU average of 9 points and points to a significant generational divide in technology use.
By comparison, in highly digitalized societies like Ireland and the Netherlands, where 100% of youth are online every day, the overall population is nearly as connected (98%), reflecting a more balanced and inclusive digital environment.
Conclusion
Albania faces a paradox: its young people are highly connected to the internet, but lack the basic digital skills needed to thrive in the digital age. The country’s challenge now is not access—but education, training, and digital literacy, ensuring that daily use translates into meaningful skills for both the workforce and society at large. Addressing this divide will be crucial to achieving broader social and economic inclusion in the years ahead.