Portugal rises three places in the European Commission’s Digital Economy and Society Index

The 2021 Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) noted Portugal went up three places compared to the 2020 Index and now ranks 16th among the 27 EU Member-States. This reflects the efforts for the digital development of the national society and economy.

The DESI was simplified in 2021 and now has 33 indicators, following the methodological revision to bring it in line with the European digital targets for 2030 (Digital Compass), whose four dimensions – human capital, connectivity, companies and public services – coincide with the Portuguese Action Plan for Digital Transition.

According to the European Commission data, Portugal’s positive outcome is due to rises, in absolute terms, in 13 indicators. 

Regarding human capital, one of the main highlights was the rise in six positions (+11%) in terms of IT and knowledge experts, which represents a convergence with the EU average and to which the significant increase in women contributes to a large measure, as it is 22% of the total, placing Portugal 9th in this field and above EU average.

As for connectivity, the country is among the top positions of the list concerning fixed broadband take-up (3rd place), and fixed broadband coverage (7th place). In the indicator on 4G coverage 4G in dwellings, it’s still above EU average, reaching 99.9% of mobile operators.

Regarding companies, Portugal heads the new twin transition indicator (digital and green) concerning the adoption of digital technologies with an impact on environmental sustainability and is also among the top positions of the list concerning the new indicator on companies adopting Artificial Intelligence. We also note the rise of one position, to 4th, for the indicator on e-commerce turnover by small and medium-sized enterprises.

As for Digital Public Services, Portugal remains above EU average, of which we note the availability of digital public services for citizens and companies, as well as the availability of public services online forms with pre-filled data.

The DESI country reports combine quantitative proof of the indicators with a Member State-specific vision of policy and best practice. They are considered a fundamental instrument to diagnose and monitor the economy and society’s digitalisation, while also being a basis for public policy to reach targets and attain convergence with the EU, making sure that no one is left behind.