The Ministry of Digital Transformation, together with its partners, conducted a study of digital literacy among Ukrainians. Its goal is to track the dynamics of the development of skills and knowledge related to the use of information technology and electronic devices. It also analyzes the impact of the economic situation on the level of digital security and identifies areas for further development of digital skills among citizens.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine conducts such a study every two years, starting in 2019.
“One of the priority goals of the Ministry of Digital Transformation is to develop the digital skills of Ukrainians. We are launching projects and initiatives to improve these indicators. In particular, we have created the Digital Competence Framework, launched the national platform Diia.Osvita, organized digital education hubs throughout Ukraine, and created the Digital Curriculum,” says Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development, Minister of Digital Transformation.
Growth of digital skills
According to him, in 4 years, the share of people with digital skills, namely, the ability to create digital content, has increased by 13% to 60%.
“We continue to develop human capital, despite the fact that a full-scale war is ongoing in Ukraine. Therefore, digital literacy and education of Ukrainians remain our priorities,” adds Fedorov.
The level of digital skills of Ukrainians is on the rise. According to this year’s survey, 90.9% of the country’s adult population aged 18 to 70 have information skills, and 91.3% have communication skills. Among teenagers, the level of skills is slightly higher – 92.8% and 95.0%, respectively.
War as a trigger
The full-scale invasion was the trigger for strengthening and developing existing digital skills. In particular, 56% of respondents see positive changes in their own digital literacy.
“Ukraine is already called the ‘European tiger of digitalization’. And all thanks to the digital solutions implemented by the Ministry of Digital Transformation together with its partners. However, technology is worthless if people do not use it. Today, Ukrainians of all ages are already receiving online services, paying utility bills, watching educational series, and even donating. The recent progress in digital skills is significant. Regular research helps us accelerate it,” emphasizes Viktor Liakh, President of the Eastern Europe Foundation.
More than half of the adult population of Ukraine reports positive changes in their digital skills. Among young people, 3 out of 4 respondents say so. If the spread of digital skills dates back to the Covid period, their rooting and deepening is observed now, after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“Now the more relevant question is not how many Ukrainians have digital skills, but how well these skills are formed and how quickly they are improved,” adds MLS Group CEO Nadiya Kuzmychova.
Career and security
For the first time, the study examined how the level of digital literacy affects career growth and salary. According to the results, 85% of respondents admitted that people with higher levels of digital skills have more career opportunities.
Additionally, 82% of the survey participants emphasized that such skills are an important factor in obtaining a prestigious and promising job.
During the survey, Ukrainians identified the most common measures for safe Internet use. These include the use of complex passwords, antivirus, and two-factor authentication.
The study also showed that over the past 2 years, the number of those who have experienced security problems online has increased by 14%.
