Since 2021, Istat has been measuring European citizens' digital competence through a composite indicator based on a set of Internet-related activities with reference to the five domains defined by the Digital Competence Framework 2.0, the common European framework of reference for digital skills. Digital skills are part of the ten-year strategic plan, and the goal for 2030 is for 80% of citizens (Internet users in the last three months and between the ages of 16 and 74) to have at least basic digital skills (in all five domains identified by the Framework 2.0, namely "Information and Data Literacy", "Communication & Collaboration", "Digital Content Creation", "Security", and "Troubleshooting"). According to the statistical institute, this percentage will be 45.7% in Italy in 2023, a constant value compared to 2021, and 55.5% in Europe. In our country, like in other European countries, there are significant disparities in digital skills due to socio-cultural characteristics of the population. In 2023, 61.7% of 20-24-year-olds in Italy who used the Internet in the previous three months will have at least basic digital abilities. This proportion falls dramatically with age, falling to 42.2% among 55–59-year-olds and 19.3% among 65-74 year olds. This level of skill is distinguished by a significant gender disparity of 3.1 percentage points in our country. It is worth noting, nevertheless, that women have an advantage until at least the age of 34. After that, the advantage reverses around the age of 45.
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