The 2021 National Survey on Digital Literacy of Ukrainian Population aims to assess the population’s level of digital literacy, analyse trends compared to 2019, and identify key challenges and opportunities for the development of digital education in Ukraine.

The study covered several target groups:

• adult population (18–70 years old);
• youth (10–17 years old);
• people with hearing impairments (18–59 years old);
• residents of the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (18–60 years old);
• focus groups, including healthcare workers, teachers, local self-government employees, and individuals aged 60+.

The study methodology is based on digital skills indicators developed by the European Commission (DESI).

The key findings of the study show that the share of Ukrainians with digital skills increased from 85% in 2019 to 92% in 2021. The group of people with no digital skills at all decreased by 4%. Young people (10–17 years old) have the highest level of digital literacy — over 95% possess at least basic skills.

94% of Ukrainians use the internet regularly, which is 4% more than in 2019. The main reason for not having internet access is a lack of need, rather than a lack of digital skills. The smartphone remains the primary device for internet access.

Employees with high digital skills earn 81% more than those with lower skill levels. Advanced digital competencies contribute over EUR 110 billion to Ukraine’s GDP annually. The most in-demand professional skills include programming, data analysis, graphic design, and video editing.

52% of Ukrainians started using online tools for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online learning is popular across all age groups, with 42% of adults regularly taking courses.

The number of internet fraud cases increased by 12% compared to 2019. 45% of Ukrainians have encountered phishing attacks (fake messages), and 37% have received links to fraudulent websites requesting personal data.

These and other findings, provided in the full study text, highlight the critical importance of digital literacy for Ukraine’s economy, while online security is becoming increasingly relevant.