EU SMEs well behind on digitalisation, Eurostat report finds

European businesses are struggling to evolve from a digital point of view.

Only 58% of small and medium enterprises - which make up the vast majority of businesses in the EU - have reached a basic level of digital services, Eurostat reports.

That is a long way from the goal of 90% by 2030, which was set by the EU.

Large enterprises, meaning those with at least 250 employees, fare much better: 91% have reached a basic level of digitalisation.

In general, the countries with the most businesses on a "very low level of digital intensity" are Romania (72.1%), Bulgaria (70.6%) and Greece (56.2%).

On the opposite side of the spectrum (very high level of digital intensity) are Finland (13.0%), Malta (11.4%) the Netherlands (11.0%).

What does 'digital intensity' mean?

The Digital Intensity Index (DII) is an indicator used by the EU to establish a business's level of digitalisation.

Having a "basic level of digital intensity" means using at least four of 12 digital technologies - such as AI, social media, cloud computing, and Customer Relationship Management - or having e-commerce sales accounting for at least 1% of total turnover.