Filenews 29 July 2022
Cyprus ranks 20th among the 27 EU member states in the 2022 edition of the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), up one place compared to 2021.
According to a report by the European Commission, a positive development is the fact that the country's relative progress, taking into account its starting point, exceeds the expected rate, suggesting that it is converging with the EU average. Cyprus has improved its performance in almost all dimensions of the DESI index, although in most cases its score is still below the EU average.
The most notable progress has been made in the areas of connectivity, the integration of digital technology and digital public services.
Cyprus ranks above the EU average in mobile broadband penetration and has improved its coverage of Very High Capacity Networks (VHCN). It is also highly scored in the 5G readiness (67%) and related coverage (75%) indicators.
However, VHCN coverage is still far from both the EU average and the EU Digital Decade target, which is to ensure that all European households are covered by a Gigabit network and all residential areas by a 5G network by 2030.
Cyprus, although it has improved its score in recent years, is still below the EU average in terms of basic digital skills. One in two Cypriots lacks basic digital skills. As mentioned, a significant change of pace is needed in the country's effort to improve the digital skills of its citizens.
66% of Cypriot SMEs (SMEs) use new technologies and have at least a basic level of digital intensity, which is more than the EU average (55%).
Cyprus has already laid strong foundations for its contribution to the EU Digital Decade target of achieving at least a basic level of digital intensity in over 90% of SMEs. Around 63% of Cypriots already interact digitally with public services, a figure slightly lower than the EU average (65%).
Cyprus' performance in digital public services for citizens and businesses shows that the country needs to continue its ongoing efforts to achieve the Digital Decade target of 100% online provision of essential public services for EU citizens and businesses by 2030.
It is also noted that the "Digital Strategy for Cyprus (2020-2025)" under the responsibility of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy (YEKPSI) is expected to accelerate the digital transformation of Cyprus.
As part of the Recovery and Tolerance Plan (RRP), in December 2021, Cyprus issued the document "Digital skills — National Action Plan 2021-2025" to develop and improve the digital skills of its entire population. The Cyprus SDS has a total value of €1.2 billion, of which €282 million. intended for the digital transition. This means that the digital transition represents 23% of the SDS, which goes beyond the EU's 20% target.
CNA
