Finland's performance towards the Digital Decade targets and objectives.
In 2023, Finland made notable progress in gigabit networks roll-out. However, challenges persist to keep up with gigabit networks deployment across its territory and in the area of e-government, where there is a need to improve on e-health and to ensure that access to other digital public services remains at highest possible levels. In the past year, Finland continued to record growth in the digital skills of the population and the digitalisation of its enterprises.
Two main strengths or areas of progress
Basic digital skills
82% of Finland’s population have at least basic digital skills, one of the best results in the EU. Open training is also provided in areas such as cybersecurity.
Digitalisation of SMEs
Almost 85.6% of SMEs have at least basic level of digital intensity (much above the EU average of 57.7%) and 79.5% of enterprises use cloud, artificial intelligence or data analytics (much above the EU average of 54.6%). Businesses are encouraged to tap the potential of 6G, the data economy and AI.
Two main weaknesses or areas to improve
Connectivity infrastructure
Despite notable progress in 2023 regarding gigabit networks roll-out, more than 20% growth in the percentage of households covered by Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), challenges persist to keep up with the deployment of gigabit networks across Finland’s territory, currently standing at 77.7% (still slightly below the EU average of 78.8%).
e-Health & e-ID
Unlike access to other digital public services, where Finland scores among the best in the EU (90.6 out of 100 for the digitalisation of public services for citizens against 79.4 out of 100 in the EU), the accessibility of e-health records (82.6 out of 100) is only slightly above the EU average (79.1 out of 100). Moreover, Finland remains one of the countries that has not yet notified an e-ID scheme under eIDAS Regulation.
Finland 's Key Performance Indicators
Finland’s Digital Decade strategic roadmap
The Finnish roadmap demonstrates that the country plans significant effort to achieve the Digital Decade objectives and targets. It sets targets for 11 out of 14 key performance indicators (KPIs) and, in most of the cases, targets are aligned with the EU 2030 ambitions. To achieve its digital transformation, Finland plans to allocate a total budget (excluding private investments) estimated at EUR 497 million (0.2% GDP).
Digital rights and principles
78% of the Finnish population consider that the digitalisation of daily public and private services makes their life easier. This is slightly above the EU average of 73%. 71% feel they have sufficient freedom of expression and information online, up by 5 points. Positive trends are also seen in access to high-speed internet (68% satisfaction, up 2%) and online privacy protection (69% satisfaction). However, while the majority find digitalisation beneficial, only 58% of Finns believe their rights are well protected by the EU, a 9-point drop since 2023 but still higher than the EU average (45%). Key concerns include safe internet for children and digital legacy control, with only 33% and 36% feeling secure, respectively. These findings underscore the need to reinforce digital rights at national level.
Country-Specific Recommendations
Finland must improve its performance towards the Digital Decade targets and objectives, to foster competitiveness, resilience, sovereignty, and promote European values and climate action.
Connectivity infrastructure
Intensify efforts to develop fixed gigabit connectivity, including by reinforcing public investments.
ICT specialists
Intensify efforts to attract ICT specialists, offer tailored training paths and address the gender gap in this field.
e-ID
Notify to the Commission an e-ID scheme under the eIDAS Regulation.
e-Health
Ensure all health data types are available to citizens through the online access service, including through a mobile application, and increase the supply of health data by onboarding more categories of healthcare providers.
More on the Digital Decade Report 2024
Digital Decade 2024 report: Country fact pages
Check out the progress of all Member States and extracts of country-specific recommendations.