The Netherlands' performance towards the Digital Decade targets and objectives.
In 2023, the Netherlands made notable progress in rolling out its fibre networks. However, important challenges persist in filling the ICT specialists' gap and close attention should also be given to companies’ continued adoption of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud. In the past year, the Netherlands advanced in the area of basic digital skills, particularly with regards to strengthening knowledge on digitalisation and digital tools.
Two main strengths or areas of progress
Connectivity infrastructure
98.3% of Dutch households are already covered by Very High-Capacity Network (VHCN), above the EU average of 78.8%, and 77.7% are covered by Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), again above the EU average (64%). 100% households are covered by at least one 5G mobile network.
Basic digital skills
82.7% of the population already has at least a basic level of digital skills – the highest score in the EU. With a highly digitalised economy and society, the country is committed to ensuring no one is left behind in the digital transformation, by strengthening people’s knowledge of digitalisation and reinforcing digital trust in technologies like AI.
Two main weaknesses or areas to improve
ICT specialists
While the number of employed ICT specialists is improving (in 2023, ICT specialists represent 6.9% of the employed population), there are still some difficulties in filling the gaps in the ICT job market. Gender imbalances also exist in this field, with less than ¼ of the employed ICT specialists being women.
Adoption of artificial intelligence by enterprises
While 13.4% of enterprises have adopted AI in 2023, above the EU average of 8%, the recent annual growth (1.1%) remains slightly lower than the average at EU level (2.6%). There is need for more public and private funds to scale-up successful AI applications, particularly in smaller enterprises, as access to capital is currently still insufficient.
Netherlands' Key Performance Indicators
The Netherlands’ Digital Decade strategic roadmap
The Dutch roadmap demonstrates that the country plans a significant effort to achieve the Digital Decade objectives and targets. It sets targets for 8 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, the Netherlands plans to allocate a total budget (excluding private investments) estimated at EUR 4.9 billion (0.5% GDP).
Digital rights and principles
The Special Eurobarometer 'Digital Decade 2024' reveals key insights into Dutch perceptions of digital rights. 45% of Dutch respondents believe the EU protects their digital rights, aligned with the EU average. Confidence in digital privacy is at 54%, above the EU average of 51%. However, concerns have risen significantly, with 63% worried about the online safety for children (+10 points compared to 2023) and 58% concerned about the control of one’s digital legacy (+8%). These findings underscore the need to reinforce digital rights at national level.
Country-Specific Recommendations
The Netherlands must improve the performance towards the Digital Decade targets and objectives, to foster competitiveness, resilience, sovereignty, and promote European values and climate action.
ICT specialists
Design schemes to boost the number of young people (particularly girls) interested in taking ICT studies or careers.
Adoption of advanced digital technologies by enterprises
Continue to support enterprises to design and adopt advanced digital technologies, with particular attention to AI applications.
Connectivity infrastructure
Ensure sufficient access of new players to spectrum for innovative B2B and B2C applications and encourage operators to speed up the deployment of 5G stand-alone core networks.
More on the Digital Decade Report 2024
Check out the progress of all Member States and extracts of country-specific recommendations.