Digital Competencies in Romania - Current Status and Perspectives

The digital transformation represents one of the most profound economic and social changes of the last decades, and the level of digital skills of the population is an essential factor of competitiveness and social inclusion. However, Romania faces a significant deficit in this area, occupying, according to the DESI (Digital Economy and Society Index) 2023, the last positions at European level in terms of digital human capital. The study analyzes the current situation of digital skills in Romania, based on data provided by the European Commission, Eurostat and the National Institute of Statistics, highlighting both the positive developments in recent years and the persistent challenges related to education, infrastructure and equitable access to technology. The research results show that only a third of Romanian citizens have basic digital skills, and the proportion of those with advanced skills is significantly lower than the European average. Territorial disparities between urban and rural areas, age, level of education and professional status strongly influence the degree of digital literacy. The article proposes an integrated approach to developing digital skills, focused on formal and non-formal education, continuous training, investments in digital infrastructure and public-private partnerships.