Finland remains top in EU digital comparison

Finland has retained its top ranking in the European Commission’s Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI).

The Commission’s annual Digital Economy and Society Index monitors the digital performance of EU member states and tracks their progress in digitalization, according to a government press release.

The maximum score in the DESI comparison is 100. Finland’s score this year is 72.3, which is well above the European Union average of 52.6.

The score puts Finland in the first place, retaining the position it achieved last year. Ranked after Finland in the digital performance comparison are Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands. Not far behind them are Malta, Ireland and Estonia.

Local Government Minister Sirpa Paatero, who is the minister responsible for digitalization in the government sector, is pleased with the country’s ranking.

“Finland remaining at the top is evidence of the determined efforts we have made to promote digitalization. In Finland, the various stakeholders in society work extensively together, which has contributed to strengthening our position as a leader in the digital transformation process. The Government Programme focuses strongly on moving forward with digitalization, and we are firmly committed to this work,” said Paatero.

The Digital Economy and Society Index monitor digitalization in the EU countries, breaking this down into five areas: connectivity, human capital (including digital skills), use of internet services by citizens, integration of digital technology by businesses, and digital public services.

Finland’s ranking varies among these different sub-components, but in the overall composite index, Finland takes the first place.

The digital progress of the EU member states has been monitored by the European Commission in its DESI reports since 2014.