In connectivity, Italy ranks 7th, with 5G coverage reaching 99.7% of inhabited areas in 2021—well above the EU average of 66%. Fast broadband coverage stands at 97%, although very high-capacity fixed networks only reach 44% of households.

In digital technology integration, Italy scores above the EU average. Adoption of e-invoicing and cloud services is strong:

• 95% of Italian companies use e-invoicing
• 52% use cloud services

In the human capital dimension, Italy ranks 25th out of 27 EU member states.

• Only 46% of the population has basic digital skills (EU average: 54%)
• Just 1.4% of graduates choose ICT disciplines—the lowest rate in the EU

The share of ICT specialists in the labor force is also below the EU average

In digital public services, Italy ranks 19th, with only 40% of internet users accessing digital public services (EU average: 65%). While Italy performs well in open data, it still lacks pre-filled forms and streamlined e-government features.

Despite challenges, Italy has launched several initiatives to boost digitalization:

• The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) is expected to significantly accelerate digitization in public administration. This includes investments aimed at improving both access to and efficiency of digital public services.
• In the private sector, Italy has made substantial progress in adopting e-invoicing and cloud computing. However, there is room for broader adoption of big data, AI, and e-commerce solutions.

To close the gap with other EU countries and ensure sustainable digital growth, Italy must:

• Adopt long-term strategies
• Invest in digital skills training and ICT education
• Expand access to digital public services for citizens and businesses