Slovenia's performance towards the Digital Decade targets and objectives.
In 2023, Slovenia made notable progress in e-government, through the notification of its national e-ID scheme and a high overall e-Health maturity. Despite ongoing efforts, challenges persist in improving basic digital skills of the population, while Slovenian enterprises, especially SMEs, lag behind in the adoption of advanced technologies like data analytics. However, the country progressed in the deployment of 5G networks, including in the 3.4-3.8 GHz bands, essential for the take-up of advanced technologies.
Two main strengths or areas of progress
Digital public services and e-Health
Slovenia has made notable progress in e-government, including the implementation of the national e-ID scheme and achieving a high overall e-Health maturity (with access to e-health records scoring 87.6 out of 100).
Connectivity infrastructure
Slovenia has a strong starting point in Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) coverage, with 78.5% of households covered, against an EU average of 64%, bringing a very strong contribution to the EU target.
Two main weaknesses or areas to improve
Digitalisation of SMEs
Slovenia falls below the EU average with regards to SMEs’ basic level of digital intensity (50.4% of enterprises against an EU average of 57.7%). There is also room to improve the share of enterprises adopting AI, cloud or data analytics, which stands at 44.7% (vs 54.6% in the EU), with gaps especially in the adoption of data analytics (19.1%).
ICT specialists
Slovenia has a significant shortage of ICT specialists, with many enterprises facing recruitment difficulties, highlighting a critical gap in the digital labour market.
Slovenia's Key Performance Indicators
Slovenia’s Digital Decade strategic roadmap
Slovenia’s roadmap demonstrates that the country plans to devote a significant effort to achieve the Digital Decade objectives and targets. It sets targets for all 14 key performance indicators (KPIs), which, in most of the cases, are aligned with the EU 2030 ambitions. For edge nodes and unicorns, the country set targets above the EU level. To achieve its digital transformation, Slovenia plans to allocate a total budget (excluding private investments) estimated at EUR 946 million (1.5% GDP).
Digital rights and principles
The Special Eurobarometer 'Digital Decade 2024' reports that 46% of Slovenian respondents feel the EU protects their digital rights (-5% compared to 2023). Rising concerns include, for 62% of respondents, minors’ safety online safety (+11%) and for 47% control over personal data. These findings underscore the need to reinforce digital rights at national level. On a positive note, 62% trust in online freedom of assembly and 57% in safe and privacy-friendly technologies, both above the EU average.
Country-Specific Recommendations
Slovenia must improve its performance towards the Digital Decade targets and objectives, to foster competitiveness, resilience, sovereignty, and promote European values and climate action.
Digitalisation of SMEs
Increase uptake of digital technologies by quickly implementing, maintaining, and complementing efforts to provide supportive framework conditions.
ICT specialists
Strengthen the early identification of labour market needs and further complement them for a swift reaction, especially in the area of digital upskilling and reskilling. Adapt the (higher) education curricula to the latest digital needs and address the gender gap. Strengthen collaboration between industries, (higher) education institutions, public administration and relevant stakeholders to increase the effectiveness of those measures.
Adoption of advanced technologies by enterprises
Accelerate policies to increase and speed up the uptake of advanced technologies, in particular by stepping up actions on data analytics, and by speeding up and further targeting preparation and implementation of measures on AI.
Basic digital skills
Fast-track new school curricula for digital skills and foster ICT studies, including for girls and women, in higher education.
More on the Digital Decade Report 2024
Check out the progress of all Member States and extracts of country-specific recommendations.