16% of Dutch don't have basic digital skills; Little improvement from 2 years ago

Almost the same proportion of the Dutch population is digitally skilled as two years ago, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reported based on a sample of approximately 6,000 Dutch people aged 16 to 75. A majority, 84 percent, had mastered basic digital skills like email or chatting in 2025. This means that 16 percent of the population lacks these skills.

At the previous measurement in 2023, 83 percent of the Dutch population had basic digital literacy.

Despite the little improvement, the Dutch are relatively the best at handling technology of all EU countries. According to Evelyn Austin, director of advocacy group Bits of Freedom, the lack of progress is not necessarily a problem. “It could be that people with little affinity for digital systems are receiving help from someone else,” she said.

According to Austin, this group may have no desire to keep up with the digital age. That is not problematic either, provided that crucial systems, such as filing taxes, remain accessible to people who have not mastered the basic level, she said.

Austin is against the idea of completely digitizing systems. “That does not mean that a complete paper shadow administration is necessary for every system, but in the event of a power outage, for instance, we see that the consequences can be significant. It is better for everyone’s safety if there is a non-digital backup.”

At 83 percent digitally skilled Dutch in 2023, the Netherlands met the EU target of 80 percent by 2030 well ahead of the deadline. The Dutch are most skilled in online communication, such as emailing or using social media. They are least skilled in using word processing and spreadsheet software, and writing computer programs in a programming language.