EU maps out the future for IT growth

The EU wants all citizens to benefit from the digital economy

The European Union has issued a major report that will be key to its forthcoming Europe 2020 IT strategy plan.

ICT in the European and Global Economy (PDF) found that half of all economic growth in the EU since 1995 can be attributed to information and communications technology (ICT), and that around half of citizens use the internet on a daily basis.

"Europe's digital economy is crucial to economic growth and prosperity. ICTs and high-speed internet are as revolutionary in our lives today as the development of electricity and transport networks over a century ago," said Digital Agenda commissioner Neelie Kroes.

"But we need support for further internet development so that all citizens can benefit from the digital economy."

The report found that the UK, Finland, Germany and Denmark lead the continent in IT skills, while Spain, Greece and Italy are lacking.

The UK is particularly active in online shopping, and is sixth in the EU in the proportion of the population who are internet users.

However, those on low incomes in the EU showed a decline in internet use, indicating the impact of the economic downturn in relation to price of access.

The report said that more work is needed to encourage the jobless and elderly to get online.