COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT DESI 2025 methodological note Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions State of the Digital Decade 2025: Keep building the EU's sovereignty and digital future
Date: 2025-06-16
Institutions: Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, artificial intelligence, digital literacy, digital single market, digital transformation, digitisation, innovation, technological independence, transmission network

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 16.6.2025  SWD(2025) 295 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT DESI 2025 methodological note Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions State of the Digital Decade 2025: Keep building the EU's sovereignty and digital future {COM(2025) 290 final} - {SWD(2025) 290 final} - {SWD(2025) 291 final} - {SWD(2025) 292 final} - {SWD(2025) 293 final} - {SWD(2025) 294 final}  
 
 
DESI 2025 
METHODOLOGICAL 
NOTE 

 
 
 
 
Table of Contents 
1 

The DESI 2025 ............................................................................................................................... 1 

1.1.1 

1.1.2 

1.1.3 

1.1.4 

1.1.5 

1.1.6 

1.1.7 

Digital skills ................................................................................................................... 3 

Digital infrastructures ................................................................................................... 4 

Digital transformation of businesses ............................................................................ 6 

Digitalisation of public services .................................................................................... 9 

The KPI table in the country reports executive summary .......................................... 11 

Additional indicators used in the country reports ..................................................... 12 

Data sources ............................................................................................................... 15 

1.2  Methodological considerations .......................................................................................... 15 

1.2.1 

1.2.2 

Indicator selection criteria ......................................................................................... 15 

Data updates and corrections .................................................................................... 15 

Table of Tables 
Table 1 DESI 2025 dashboard ............................................................................................................... 1 
Table 2 Digital skills indicators ............................................................................................................. 3 
Table 3 Digital infrastructures indicators ............................................................................................. 4 
Table 4 Digital transformation of businesses indicators ...................................................................... 6 
Table 5 Digital Intensity Index .............................................................................................................. 7 
Table 6 Digitalisation of public services indicators .............................................................................. 9 
Table 7 Additional indicators used in the country reports ................................................................ 12 
Table 8 Data sources .......................................................................................................................... 15 

2 

 
 
 
1  The DESI 2025 

In line with Article 2(1) of the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 (the Decision), adopted by the 
Council and Parliament in December 20221, since its 2023 edition the Digital Economy and Society 
Index (DESI) has been based on a set of indicators providing a multi-dimensional, detailed picture of 
the collective annual progress made by the EU towards the 2030 goals. DESI consists of a dashboard 
of indicators fully aligned with the digital targets established in the Decision. It includes all the key 
performance  indicators  of  the  digital  decade  (DD  KPI)  set  out  in  the  Commission  Implementing 
Decision2 for which national-level values are available or estimated.  

The DESI 2025 dashboard features more than 30 indicators, including the DD KPIs (Table 1). However, 
updated values are not available for all indicators. Those without new data for 2025 are marked with 
the label ’[no new data in 2025]’. 

The DESI dashboard’s indicators and metadata can be accessed and analysed via the DESI visualisation 
tool3 for all the available years. 

Most  of  the  indicators  are  collected  by  the  relevant  authorities  of  the  Member  States  and  by  the 
Commission,  the  European  Statistical  Office 
for 
Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT), via ad hoc studies for which all the 
details and links are provided. 

(Eurostat)  and  the  Directorate-General 

The country and EU-level data analysis – state of play and level of progress – of a selection of the DESI 
2025  dashboard  indicators  was  in  part  generated  using  tested  European  generative  AI  models  – 
Mistral Large and Small for the 2025 SDDR Country Reports. All officers responsible have verified the 
initial drafts for accuracy and relevance. 

Table 1 DESI 2025 dashboard  

Dimension  

Sub-dimension  

Indicator  

1 Digital skills  

Internet user skills  

Internet use 

2 Digital 
infrastructures  

At least basic digital skills (DD KPI) 

Above basic digital skills 

ICT specialists (DD KPI) 

Enterprises providing ICT training 

Advanced skills and 
development  

Fixed broadband   Overall internet take-up 

Share of fixed broadband subscription ≥ 100 Mbps 
Share of fixed broadband subscription ≥ 1 Gbps 
Fixed Very High Capacity Network (VHCN) coverage 
(DD KPI) 
Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) coverage (DD KPI) 

Mobile broadband   Overall 5G coverage (DD KPI) 

5G coverage in the 3.4-3.8 GHz band 

Most recent year 
available  

2024 

2023 

2023 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

1  Decision  (EU)  2022/2481  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  14  December  2022  establishing  the  Digital 

Decade Policy Programme 2030 (Text with EEA relevance), OJ L 323, 19.12.2022, p.4. 

2 Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/1353 of 30 June 2023 setting out key performance indicators to measure 
the progress towards the digital targets established by Article 4(1) of Decision (EU) 2022/2481 of the European Parliament 
and of the Council. 

3 DESI dashboard for the Digital Decade (2023 onwards) - Digital Decade DESI visualisation tool  

1 

 
 
 
Most recent year 
available  

2025 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2023 
(2024 data for Spain) 
2023 
(2024 data for Croatia, 
Hungary, Netherlands, 
and Spain) 
2024 

2023 
(2024 data for Spain) 
2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

Dimension  

Sub-dimension  

Indicator  

5G spectrum 

5G SIM cards (share of population) 

Estimated number of deployed edge nodes (DD KPI) 

SMEs with at least a basic level of digital intensity  
DII version IV (DD KPI) 
Data Analytics (DD KPI) 

Digital intensity  

Digital technologies 
for businesses  

Cloud (DD KPI) 

3 Digital 
transformation of 
businesses  

4 Digitalisation of 
public services  

Artificial Intelligence (AI) (DD KPI) 

AI or Cloud or Data Analytics (DD combined KPI) 

Number of unicorns (DD KPI) 

SMEs selling online 

e-Commerce  

e-Commerce turnover 

e-Government users 

e-Government  

Digital public services for citizens (DD KPI) 

Digital public services for businesses (DD KPI) 

Prefilled forms 

Transparency of service delivery, design and personal data 

User support 

Mobile friendliness 

e-Health  

Access to e-Health records (DD KPI) 

2 

 
 
 
1.1.1  Digital skills 

Table 2 Digital skills indicators 

Indicator 

Internet use 

At least basic digital skills (DD KPI) 
EU 2030 target = 80% 

Above basic digital skills 

ICT specialists (DD KPI) 
EU 2030 target = 20 million equivalent to 
approximately 10% of total employment 
(assuming 200 m in employment in 2030) 

Description 

Unit 

Source 

Individuals who use the internet at least once a 
week 

Individuals  (aged  16-74)  with  ‘basic’  or  ‘above 
basic’ digital skills in each of the following five 
dimensions:  information,  and  data  literacy, 
communication  and  collaboration,  problem-
solving, digital content creation and safety 

Individuals  (aged  16-74)  with  ‘above  basic’ 
digital  skills  in  each  of  the  following  five 
dimensions:  information,  and  data  literacy, 
communication  and  collaboration,  problem-
solving, digital content creation and safety 

ICT  specialists.  Broad  definition 
Employed 
based  on  the 
ISCO-08  classification  and 
including  jobs  like  ICT  service  managers,  ICT 
professionals, ICT technicians, ICT installers and 
servicers. 

% of individuals + 
gender and age 
breakdown 
% of individuals + 
gender, age, 
education, place of 
residence and 
competence area 
breakdowns  
% of individuals + 
gender, age, 
education, place of 
residence and 
competence area 
breakdowns 
% of total 
employment + gender 
breakdown 

Eurostat – European Union survey on the 
use of ICT in Households and by individuals 
(ISOC_CI_IFP_FU [I_IUSE]) 
Eurostat – European Union survey on the 
use of ICT in Households and by Individuals 
(ISOC_SK_DSKL_I21 [I_DSK2_BAB]) 

Eurostat – European Union survey on the 
use of ICT in Households and by Individuals 
(ISOC_SK_DSKL_I21 [I_DSK2_AB]) 

Eurostat – Labour force survey 
(ISOC_SKS_ITSPT, ISOC_SKS_ITSPS) 

Reference year 
(latest available year 
with comparable 
values across the EU) 
2024 

2023 

2023 

2024 

The digital skills group of indicators assesses both internet user skills of citizens and the number of specialists with advanced digital skills. ‘At least basic digital skills’ 
and ‘ICT specialists’ measure progress towards the targets of the Digital Decade Policy Programme. 

3 

 
 
 
1.1.2  Digital infrastructures 

Table 3 Digital infrastructures indicators4 

Indicator 

Description 

Unit 

Source 

Overall Internet 
take-up 
Share of fixed 
broadband 
subscription ≥ 100 
Mbps 

Share of fixed 
broadband 
subscription ≥ 1 
Gbps 

Fixed Very High 
Capacity Network 
(VHCN) coverage 
(DD KPI) 
EU 2030 target = 
100% 
Fibre to the 
Premises (FTTP) 
coverage 
(DD KPI) 
EU 2030 target = 
100% 
Overall 5G coverage 
(DD KPI) 
EU 2030 target = 
100% 

Households with access to the Internet at home  % of households 

%  of  fixed  broadband 
subscriptions 

European Union survey on the use of ICT in households and by 
individuals - level of internet access (table: ISOC_CI_IN_H) 
European Commission through the Communications Committee 
(COCOM) and Eurostat – European Union survey on the use of ICT in 
households and by individuals 

by 

% of households subscribing to fixed broadband 
of  at  least  100  Mbps,  calculated  as  overall 
broadband 
the 
take-up  multiplied 
percentage of fixed broadband lines of at least 
100 Mbps  
% of households subscribing to fixed broadband 
least  1  Gbps,  calculated  as  overall 
of  at 
broadband 
the 
take-up  multiplied 
percentage of fixed broadband lines of at least 
1 Gbps 
%  of  households  covered  by  any  fixed  VHCN. 
The technologies considered are FTTH and FTTB 
for 2017-2018 and FTTH, FTTB and Cable DOCSIS 
3.1 for 2019 onwards   

by 

%  of  fixed  broadband 
subscriptions 

European Commission through the Communications Committee 
(COCOM) and Eurostat – European Union survey on the use of ICT in 
households and by individuals 

%  of  households  + 
rural area breakdown 

Broadband coverage in Europe studies for the European Commission 
by Omdia and Point Topic ‘Broadband coverage in Europe 2024’: 
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news-redirect/883228 
Also available via EUROSTAT ISOC_CBT 

% of households covered by FTTH and FTTB  

%  of  households  + 
rural area breakdown 

Broadband coverage in Europe studies for the European Commission 
by Omdia and Point Topic ‘Broadband coverage in Europe 2024’: 
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news-redirect/883228 
Also available via EUROSTAT ISOC_CBT 

% of populated areas with coverage by at least 
one 5G mobile network  

% of households + 
rural area breakdown 

Broadband coverage in Europe studies for the European Commission 
by Omdia and Point Topic ‘Broadband coverage in Europe 2024’ 
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news-redirect/883228 
Also available via EUROSTAT ISOC_CBT 

Reference year 
(latest available year 
with comparable values 
across the EU) 
2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

4 Indicators’ values from both COCOM and Omdia/Point Topic can be slightly revised for previous years at the request of the MS’s National Regulatory Authorities. For this reason, time series included in 

previous versions of the DESI may not fully match the ones reported in DESI 2024.  

4 

 
 
 
 
Indicator 

Description 

Unit 

Source 

5G coverage in the 
3.4-3.8 GHz band 

% of populated areas with coverage by 5G using 
the 3.4-3.8 GHz spectrum band 

%  of  households  + 
rural area breakdown 

The amount of spectrum assigned and ready for 
5G  use  within  the    ‘5G  pioneer  bands’.  These 
bands are 700 MHz (703-733 MHz and 758-788 
MHz),  3.6  GHz  (3400-3800  MHz)  and  26  GHz 
(1000 MHz within 24250-27500 MHz). All three 
spectrum bands have an equal weight. 
5G  mobile  subscriptions  defined  as  SIM  cards 
that  generated  any 
internet  traffic  on  a 
domestic 5G network in the last 90 days. 
Estimated  number  of  edge  computing  nodes 
providing latencies below 20 milliseconds. 

5G spectrum 

5G SIM cards share 
of population 

Edge nodes 
(estimates) 
(DD KPI) 
EU 2030 target = 
10000 

Broadband coverage in Europe studies for the European Commission 
by Omdia and Point Topic ‘Broadband coverage in Europe 2024’: 
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news-redirect/883228 

European Commission services, through the Communications 
Committee (COCOM) 

Assigned  spectrum  as 
total 
a 
% 
harmonised 
5G 
spectrum 

of 

% of total population 

European Commission services, through the Communications 
Committee (COCOM) 

Number  of  deployed 
edge nodes 

EDGE Observatory – Edge nodes (all edge nodes with no further 
specification) estimated to be deployed across Europe in 2024: 
Data for the other Member States has been estimated as presented in 
the Edge Observatory methodology. 
Edge Deployment Data Reports: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

1st Edge Deployment Data Report (September 2023) Row 
data:  IDC Survey Data,  Targets 2030 calculations) 
2nd Edge Deployment Data Report (March 2024) 
[International comparison] 
3rd Edge Deployment Data Report (June 2024) Row 
data:  IDC Survey Data, Targets 2030 calculations) 
4th Edge Deployment Data Report (August 2024) 
[International comparison] 

Reference year 
(latest available year 
with comparable values 
across the EU) 
2024 

2025 

2024 

2024 

Under this group of indicators, both fixed and mobile broadband are analysed with indicators measuring the supply and the demand side. ‘Fixed VHCN’, ‘FTTP’, ‘5G 
coverage’ and ‘edge-node deployment’ all measure progress towards the targets of the Digital Decade Policy Programme. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.1.3  Digital transformation of businesses  

Table 4 Digital transformation of businesses indicators 

Indicator 

Description 

Unit 

Source 

SMEs with at least 
a basic level of 
digital intensity 
(DD KPI) 
EU 2030 target = 
90% 
Data Analytics5 

The  digital  intensity  score  is  based  on  counting  how  many  of  12 
technologies selected are used by enterprises. A basic level requires usage 
of at least four technologies (see Table 5).  

% of SMEs 

Enterprises performing data analytics (internally or externally) 

% of enterprises 

Cloud 

Enterprises buying sophisticated or intermediate cloud computing services  % of enterprises 

AI 

Enterprises using any AI technology 

% of enterprises 

Enterprises using AI technologies or buying sophisticated or intermediate 
cloud computing services or performing data analytics 

% of enterprises 

Eurostat – European Union survey on ICT usage 
and e-commerce in Enterprises (ISOC_E_DII 
[E_DI4_LO + E_DI4_HI + E_DI4_VHI], 
[E_DI4_GELO]) 

Eurostat – European Union survey on ICT usage 
and e-commerce in Enterprises (ISOC_EB_DAS 
[E_DA]) 
Eurostat – European Union survey on ICT usage 
and e-commerce in enterprises (ISOC_CICCE_USE 
[E_CC1_SI]) 
Eurostat – European Union survey on ICT usage 
and e-commerce in enterprises (ISOC_EB_AI 
[E_AI_TANY]) 
Eurostat – European Union survey on ICT usage 
and e-commerce in enterprises (ISOC_EB_AI 
[E_AI_CC1SI_DA_ANY])  

SMEs’ total turnover from e-commerce6 

% of SME 
turnover 

Eurostat – European Union survey on ICT usage 
and e-commerce in Enterprises 
(ISOC_EC_EVALS[E_ETURN]) 

AI or Cloud or Data 
Analytics (DD 
combined KPI) 
EU 2030 target = 
75% 
e-Commerce 
turnover 

Reference year 
(latest available year 
with comparable 
values across the EU) 
2024 
[Ver. IV] 

2023 

2023 

2024 

2023 

2024 

5 In 2023, Eurostat in cooperation with all the EU National Statistical Institutes replaced the Big Data indicator with the Data Analytics one. Data analytics refers to the use of technologies, techniques or 
software tools for analysing data to extract patterns, trends and insights to make conclusions, predictions and better decision-making with the aim of improving performance (e.g., increase production, 
reduce costs). Data may be extracted from your own enterprise’ data source or from external sources (e.g. suppliers, customers, government) (source Eurostat). Data Analytics includes a broader set of 
technologies than the former Big Data.  

6 Data for e-commerce refer to the calendar year prior to the survey, e.g. 2024 values refer to 2023 e-commerce. 

6 

 
 
 
 
Indicator 

Description 

Unit 

Source 

SMEs selling online 

SMEs selling online (at least 1% of turnover) 

% of SMEs 

Unicorns7 

(DD KPI) 

EU 2030 target = 
doubling the 
number 

Calculated as the sum of unicorns referred to in Article 2, point (11)(a), of 
Decision (EU) 2022/2481 and those referred to in Article 2, point (11)(b), of 
that Decision 

Total  number  of 
unicorns 

Eurostat – European Union survey on ICT usage 
and e-commerce in Enterprises (ISOC_EC_ESELS 
[E_ESELL]) 
Dealroom.co (dataset downloaded on 24.3.2025) 

https://app.dealroom.co/dashboard 

Reference year 
(latest available year 
with comparable 
values across the EU) 
2024 

2024 

The  ‘Digital  transformation  of  businesses’  group of  indicators  is made  up  of  four  sub-groups:  digital  intensity, take-up of selected technologies  by enterprises,  e-
commerce, and unicorns. ‘SMEs with at least a basic level of digital intensity’, and ‘take-up of Cloud or Data Analytics or AI’, and ‘unicorns’ measure progress towards 
the targets of the Digital Decade Policy Programme. 

Table 5 Digital Intensity Index 

Digital intensity is measured using the Digital Intensity Index (DII), which assesses the adoption of 12 selected technologies by enterprises. A basic level of digital 
intensity is defined as an enterprise utilising at least 4 of those 12 technologies. Each year, the index encompasses a wide array of technologies, ranging from basic 
to more sophisticated, with the aim of evaluating the digitalisation level of SMEs across the EU.   
The 2024 version of the index, DII version IV, includes the following 12 technologies and/or criteria (source: Eurostat): 1.Enterprises where more than 50% of the 
persons employed used computers with access to the internet for business purposes (same as version III); 2. The maximum contracted download speed of the fastest 
fixed line internet connection is at least 30 Mb/s (same as version III); 3. Enterprises with e-commerce sales of at least 1% turnover; 4. Enterprises where web sales 
are more than 1% of the total turnover and B2C web sales more than 10% of the web sales; 5. Enterprise with document(s) on measures, practices or procedures 
on ICT security; 6. Enterprises make employees aware of their obligations in ICT security-related issues; 7. Use at least 3 ICT security measures; 8. Any type of training 

7 Unicorns’ classification and extraction methodology: The Commission extracts from the Dealroom platform companies that are classified as unicorns and have their headquarters in the EU27. This implies 
that all and only unicorns with headquarters in one EU Member State at the time of the extraction are counted. Every company that is classified by Dealroom as ’verified unicorn and USD 1 billion exits’ 
has a last reported private valuation or exit of USD 1 billion or more. The term "exit" refers to the process  by which investors, such as venture capitalists or founders, sell their stake in a company, 
typically to realise a return on their investment. In some cases, a private unicorn may have fallen below USD 1 billion in paper value since their last disclosed funding round and valuation. In this case, 
they retain their unicorn classification in Dealroom until an updated valuation is confirmed. Where a company had an exit above USD 1 billion and subsequently fell in value, it is still counted due to 
achieving a unicorn exit. Where company valuations are reported in currencies other than USD, the exchange rate from reported currency at the time is used. In these scenarios, Dealroom’s analysists 
may decide to allow for a limited amount of benefit-of-the-doubt due to exchange rate fluctuation. 

7 

 
 
 
 
provided to develop ICT related skills of the persons employed; 9. Employ ICT specialists; 10. Use any AI technology; 11. Any of the persons employed having remote 
access to any of the following: email, documents, business apps; 12. Enterprises which conducted remote meetings.  
Compared to the 2023 version of the index (version III), the 2024 iteration places greater emphasis on ICT security measures, at the expense of cloud services and 
data analytics take-up due to the limited space available in the Eurostat’s survey on ICT usage in enterprises. 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
1.1.4  Digitalisation of public services  

Table 6 Digitalisation of public services indicators 

Indicator 

Description 

Unit 

Source8 

e-Government 
users9 

Individuals who used the Internet, in the last 12 months, for interaction with public authorities on 
websites or on mobile applications 

% internet 
users 

Digital public 
services for citizens 
(DD KPI) 
EU 2030 target = 
100/100 
Digital public 
services for 
businesses (DD KPI) 
EU 2030 target = 
100/100 
Prefilled forms 

Transparency of 
service delivery, 
design and 
personal data 
User support 

Online provision of key public services for citizens, measured as the share of administrative steps 
that can be done online for major life events for citizens. There are seven life events simultaneously 
considered  for  citizens:  1.  Family,  2.  Career,  3.  Studying,  4.  Health,  5.  Transport,  6.  Moving,  7. 
Starting a Small Claims Procedure 

Score (0 to 
100) 

Online provision of key public services for entrepreneurs, measured as the share of administrative 
steps  that  can  be  completed  fully  online  for  major  life  events.  There  are  two  life  events 
simultaneously considered for businesses: 1. Business Start-up, 2. Regular Business Operations 

Score (0 to 
100) 

Prefilled forms, measured as the share of administrative steps that present prefilled data, already 
known to public administrations, to the user in online forms. 

Score (0 to 
100) 

Transparency  of  service  delivery,  design  and  personal  data,  measured  as the  extent  to  which 
service  processes  are  transparent,  services  are  designed  with  user  involvement  and  users  can 
manage their personal data 

Score (0 to 
100) 

The extent to which online support, help features, and feedback  mechanisms are available incl. 
cross-border 

Score (0 to 
100) 

Eurostat – European Union survey 
on the use of ICT in households and 
by individuals (ISOC_CIEGI_AC 
[I_IGOVANYS]) 
e-Government Benchmark 2025 
https://digital-
strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news-
redirect/883225  

e-Government Benchmark 2025 
https://digital-
strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news-
redirect/883225 

e-Government Benchmark 2025 
https://digital-
strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news-
redirect/883225 
e-Government Benchmark 2025 
https://digital-
strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news-
redirect/883225 
e-Government Benchmark 2025 
https://digital-
strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news-
redirect/883225 

Reference year 
(latest available year 
with comparable 
values across the EU) 
2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

2024 

8 Eurostat dataset code in brackets with indicator filter in squared brackets. 
9 The ‘eGoverment users’ indicator included in DESI 2024 is defined as ’Internet use: website or app of public authorities (last 12 months)’, as in the 2023 DESI dashboard. 

9 

 
 
 
 
Mobile friendliness 

The share of services which are provided through a mobile-friendly interface, an interface that is 
responsive to the mobile device 

Score (0 to 
100) 

Citizens’ online 
access to electronic 
health records 
(short name = 
Access to e-Health 
records) (DD KPI) 
EU 2030 target = 
100/100 

Measured as: (i) the nationwide availability of online access services for citizens to their electronic 
health records data (via a patient portal, or a patient mobile app) with additional measures in place 
that enable certain categories of people (e.g. guardians for children, people with disabilities, older 
people) to also access their data, and (ii) the percentage of individuals that have the ability to obtain 
or make use of their own minimum set of health-related data currently stored in public and private 
electronic health-record (EHR) systems 

Score (0 to 
100) 

e-Government Benchmark 2025 
https://digital-
strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news-
redirect/883225 
2025  Digital  Decade 
Indicator Study 
https://digital-
strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news-
redirect/883229  

eHealth 

2024 

2024 

The ‘digitalisation of public services’ group of indicators describes the demand and supply of e-Government as well as e-Health. The ‘Digital public services for citizens 
and businesses’ and the ‘access to e-Health records’ are indicators measuring progress towards the targets of the Digital Decade Policy Programme. 

10 

 
 
 
 
2025 DESI 

Methodological note 

1.1.5  The KPI table in the country reports executive summary 

Each Member State’s report contains in its Executive Summary (as an Annex to the Communication 
on the State of the Digital Decade 2024) a summary table of the Digital Decade KPIs. That table lists: 

•  Digital  Decade  KPIs:  in  the  order  of  appearance  in  the  Country  Report  Staff  Working 
Document. Data analytics now replaces Big Data. The new indicator on the take-up of either 
AI, Cloud, or Data analytics is introduced in this version of DESI 2025. 

•  DESI 2024: the last comparable data. For most KPIs, it is the value from 2023 (except for SMEs 
with at  least  a basic level of digital intensity for which the  comparison is taken from year 
2022). Note that since the publication of DESI 2024 in July 2024, some data might have been 
retroactively revised. 

•  DESI  2025:  current  level  of  the  KPIs  as  measured  in  2024  for  most  of  the  indicators  and 

reported in 2025. 

•  Annual progress: The compound annual growth rate (CAGR), which is calculated on the basis 
of the two most recent available data points. Progress cannot be computed for ‘Cloud’, ‘Data 
Analytics’, ‘take-up of either AI, Cloud, or Data analytics’, and ‘At least basic digital skills’ since 
these indicators were not measured in 2024. For some Member States and for specific KPIs, 
methodological updates might prevent the calculation of this growth rate. 

•  National trajectory: Value of the national trajectory for 2024, as committed by the Member 
State in its (revised) Digital Decade national strategic roadmap. A ‘-’ denotes that there is no 
measure  in  2024 or  that there  is  no  national trajectory  point  for  this  year  in  the  national 
roadmap, as set by the Member State. 

•  EU: The same comments apply for the EU data on DESI 2025 and annual progress.  

•  Digital Decade target by 2030 MS: the target for 2030 as defined explicitly by the Member 
State in its national strategic roadmap. A ‘-’ denotes that no national target was explicitly set 
by the Member State. 

•  Digital Decade target by 2030 EU: EU-level digital targets set out in Article 4 of the Digital 

Decade Policy Programme 2030. 

11 

 
 
2025 DESI 

Methodological note 

1.1.6  Additional indicators used in the country reports 

In order to deepen the analysis and explore areas of the digital transformation not currently covered by the DESI dashboard, the SDDR25 includes several 
additionnal indicators, mainly related to sovereignty, cybersecurity, and the green transition. 

Table 7 Additional indicators used in the country reports 

Policy area 

Sovereignty 

Indicator 

Percentage of the ICT sector 
in Gross value added 

Source 

Eurostat 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/isoc_b
de15ag/default/table?lang=en&category=isoc.isoc_se 

Policy relevance 

It  measures  the  importance  of  the  ICT  sector  in  the  economy.  A 
strong ICT sector often indicates strong innovation ecosystems. 

A high share of value added may suggest a significant role in global 
ICT markets, reducing reliance on external providers 

Sovereignty 

Sovereignty 

Business expenditure on R&D 
(BERD) in ICT sector as % of 
total R&D expenditure 

R&D personnel in ICT sector 
as % of total R&D personnel 

Cybersecurity 
(people) 

Cyber awareness and 
readiness (households) 

Cybersecurity 
(businesses) 

Security measures and staff 
awareness (enterprises) 

Cybersecurity 
(businesses) 

Security incidents and 
consequences (enterprises) 

Eurostat 

Same as above 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/isoc_b
de15ar2/default/table?lang=en&category=isoc.isoc_se 

Eurostat 

Same as above 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/isoc_ic
_biper2/default/table?lang=en&category=isoc.isoc_se 

Eurostat 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/isoc_sk
_dskl_i21/default/table?lang=en 

DSI safety skills (6 sub-indicators) 

This indicator measures people’s awareness and preparedness. It 
is  therefore  highly  policy  relevant  for  assessing  the  level  of 
cybersecurity  as  it  reflects  the  human  dimension  of  digital 
resilience.  Cybersecurity  is  not  only  about  technology  (firewalls, 
encryption  standards  …)  but  also,  and  sometimes  mostly,  about 
user’s behaviour  

Eurostat 

It measures cyber preparedness of enterprises. 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/isoc_ci
sce_ra/default/table?lang=en&category=isoc.isoc_e.isoc_
cisc 

Examples of indicators: 

ICT security measures adoption 
Awareness of ICT security related issues 

• 
• 
Eurostat ENT survey 

Examples of indicators: 

ICT security incidents leading to 

• 

ICT services unavailability 

Enterprises  are  frequent  targets  of  cyberattacks,  such  as 
ransomware,  phishing,  or  data  breaches.  This  indicator  reflects 
how well businesses are equipped to prevent such threats (cyber 
resilience) 

It measures the number of incidents and potential consequences 
like service disruption. 

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Methodological note 

Policy area 

Indicator 

Source 

Policy relevance 

While  it  could  be  an  indicator  of  businesses’  ability  to  handle 
cyberattacks,  it  could  also  be  influenced  by  external  factors  (the 
number of cyberattacks suffered). 

DNSSEC: A high level of adoption of Domain Name System Security 
Extensions  (DNSSEC)  is  essential  to  protect  the  integrity  of  the 
Domain Name System (DNS) Internet infrastructure to ensure the 
interoperability and security of the global cyberspace. The DNSSEC 
adoption rate in EU Member States is currently at a medium level, 
although there is quite a fragmentation among them, with some 
Member States better placed than others. 

IPv6  is  the  latest  version  of  the  Internet’s  main  communication 
protocol. IPv6 ensures the scalability, stability, and security of the 
Internet. The analysis uses a set of publicly available data sources, 
as  well  as  data  collected  from  JRC  own  measurements,  for 
estimating the rate of adoption of IPv6 across two dimensions: (a) 
end-user  adoption,  i.e.  end-user  hosts  capable  of  using  IPv6  to 
connect to the Internet 

Measures  the  disposal  and  buying  criteria  of  devices  by  the 
population (devices account for the majority of the footprint of the 
digital sector) 

Assess the enterprises’ awareness and preparedness on the green 
aspects of their digital sector 

Cybersecurity 

(internet  standards 
and protocols) 

Monitoring the deployment of 
Internet standards: 

DNSSE, 
adoption  

IPv6: 

end-user 

• 
• 

Data destruction/ corruption  
Confidential data disclosure 

European Commission 

https://ec.europa.eu/internet-standards/index.html 

Eurostat 

Destination of ICT devices no longer in use (isoc_eco_dd) 

Important characteristics when buying ICT 
devices (isoc_eco_ic) 

Eurostat 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/isoc_e
_envn2/default/table?lang=en&category=isoc.isoc_e 

Greening ICT 

(people) 

Greening ICT 

(businesses) 

Indicators on recycling of ICT 
device (recycling of laptop, 
desktop, or smartphone) + 
criteria for purchasing (eco-
design, energy consumption) 
(households) 

Businesses green awareness 
and readiness: ICT and 
environment statistics 
(enterprises applying measure 
on printing, energy 
consumption of ICT 
equipment, considering the 
environmental impact of ICT 
services when buying, 
considering e-waste, recycling 
ICT equipment…) 

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2025 DESI 

Methodological note 

Policy area 

Indicator 

People / ethics / 
democracy 

Individuals - encountering 
hostile or degrading online 
messages  

Source 

Eurostat 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/isoc_ci
_hm/bookmark/table?lang=en&bookmarkId=b22f969c-
7ac2-4ea4-9d3c-dccdb0f497b4 

People / ethics / 
democracy 

Evaluating  data,  information 
and digital content 

People / ethics / 
democracy 

Internet  use:  civic  or  political 
participation 

8 indicators 

Eurostat 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/isoc_sk
_edic_i21/bookmark/table?lang=en&bookmarkId=e0fe48
50-ae96-41c5-b9d6-4457431b3e3b 

9 indicators 

Eurostat 

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/isoc_ci
_ac_i/default/table?lang=en&category=isoc.isoc_i.isoc_ii
u 

Policy relevance 

It  measures  how  people  perceived  they  were  exposed  to 
hostile/degrading  messages  online.  It  sheds  light  on  the  scale  of 
online abuse, as perceived by the individuals, which in turn informs 
policies  around  digital  safety  of  people,  especially  for  vulnerable 
groups like the youngest (16-24) and women. 

Ensuring a safe online environment is critical for advancing digital 
transformation by increasing public trust in digital platforms. 

It measures the awareness of people toward doubtful contents and 
their willingness to verify information online. It can be considered 
a  proxy  for  the  extent  to  which  individuals  are  aware  of 
mis/disinformation  and 
to  verify 
information, which is critical for mitigating the spread of fake news. 

their  proactive  efforts 

It  measures  how  people  use  digital  tools  to  participate  in  the 
democratic life, i.e. how individuals leverage digital tools to engage 
in democratic activities such as taking part in on-line consultations 
or voting to define civic or political issues; expressing opinions on 
civic or political issues on websites or in social media.  

14 

 
 
  
 
 
 
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Methodological note 

1.1.7  Data sources  

Most of the data in the DESI 2025 have been collected directly by national authorities, such as the 
National  Statistical  Institutes  coordinated  by  Eurostat  or  National  Regulatory  Authorities.  Table  8 
presents the data sources and the role of national authorities in data collection and validation. 

Table 8 Data sources 

Data source 

Eurostat 

Communications Committee (COCOM) 

Broadband coverage studies 

e-Government benchmark 

2025  Digital  Decade  eHealth  indicator 
study 

Data collection process 

Data collected by National Statistical Institutes and verified by 
the National Statistical Institutes and Eurostat. 

Data  collected  and  verified  by  the  National  Regulatory 
Authorities (by data experts appointed by the members of the 
Communications Committee in every Member State). 

Data collected by Omdia and Point Topic and verified by the 
National Regulatory Authorities (by data experts appointed by 
the  members  of  the  Communications  Committee  in  every 
Member State). 

Data  collected  by  Capgemini  and  verified  by  relevant 
ministries in every Member State. 

Data  collected  by  Capgemini  Invent  by  means  of  a  specific 
questionnaire submitted to representatives appointed by the 
relevant ministries in every Member State. 

1.2  Methodological considerations 

1.2.1 

Indicator selection criteria 

To be included in the DESI dashboard, indicators must comply with the following requirements: 

•  Must be collected on a regular basis. In order to fulfil the monitoring function, the indicators 
used in the dashboard must be collected ideally on a yearly basis (or at least at pre-defined 
intervals10). 

•  Must  be  relevant  for  the  policy  area  of  interest.  All  indicators  in  the  dashboard  must  be 

accepted as relevant metrics in their specific policy areas. 

•  Must be collected in a comparable way for all the 27 Member States. Comparable statistical 
indicators are needed for all 27 EU Member States to ensure fair and accurate monitoring of 
the collective progress made by the EU toward the Digital Decade targets. This in turn allows 
the EU to identify gaps and share best practices. 

1.2.2  Data updates and corrections 

Updates and corrections are part of the lifecycle and nature of statistical data, especially in the digital 
sector, which is a rapidly evolving environment. This is the case for several DESI indicators. There can 
be several reasons for such restatements. For example, it is typical that the values for one indicator 
undergo  small  amendments  and  only  stabilise  completely  long  after  the  indicator  was  originally 

10 For the data sources mentioned under 1.1.7, annual data collection exercises are planned, except for some of the data 

collected and verified by the National Statistical Offices or by Eurostat, which may be collected less frequently.  

15 

 
 
 
 
2025 DESI 

Methodological note 

computed and published. Member States can also update their own methodology to collect the data 
for the indicators on which they report, for example to Eurostat, and revise the figures retroactively. 
Such revisions may impact Member States’ individual indicator values and also the EU average.  

The present report considers updates that were reported to the European Commission before 14 April 
202511, which is the DESI 2025 cut-off date for all indicators that had updated data or were new with 
respect to previous DESI editions. Any changes made after this date are not taken into account in the 
2025 version of the DESI dashboard. 

11 The cut-off date for data updating and retroactive revisions is 14.4.2025 for all the indicators included in the 2025 DESI 

dashboard but the cut-off date for the e-Health index is 21.3.2025, and unicorns 24.3.2025.  

16