Finland tops EU's digital comparison index

Finland has ranked number one on this year’s Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) comparison of digitalisation, said a government press release.

DESI compares the progress of EU countries in the use of digitalisation with 13 indicators. Finland has taken the top place followed by Sweden and Denmark. In comparison, last year Finland came third.

The European Commission’s annual Digital Economy and Society Index describes the digital performance and its development in each EU country.

The maximum score on DESI comparison is 100. Finland's score this year was 69.9, which is well above the average for EU countries – 52.5.

"We have long been near the top. Systematic and long-term work to advance digitalisation has borne fruit. Broad-based cooperation between various parties of society is the key to us being here now," said Finance Ministry's Public Sector ICT Director General Anna-Maija Karjalainen.

"Finland's success in the global operating environment depends on the ability of citizens, businesses and communities and public administration to produce, protect, understand and utilise information. With systematic information policy Finland is able to act as a leader in the use of information as well," said Karjalainen.

The high competence level is one of Finland's strongest competitive advantages: 76 per cent of the population have at least basic digital skills, which is a long way above the EU average (57%).

Although fixed broadband access is offered to almost all households, its use in Finland is below the EU average (Finland 58%, EU 77%). In mobile broadband use, Finland ranks first by a clear margin to the next country. The connectivity is nearly double compared to the EU average.

Overall, Finland is among the leading countries in digitalisation. Other top countries in digitalisation are Sweden, Denmark, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Ireland, Belgium and Estonia.