The increasing use of computers in the work place has led to computer literacy being a necessity in a large majority of professions. A sound understanding and knowledge of computer applications and programs is becoming more and more important in working life. On the occasion of the e-skills week, which will take place from 26-30 March 2012, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, publishes data on university graduates in computing and computer skills of individuals. The European e-Skills week 2012 is a European campaign focused on raising the interest of young people in ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) as well as showing people how to get jobs and e-skills for life in the digital age.

In the EU27, 3.4% of graduates obtained a degree in computing in 2009

In the EU27, the share of computing graduates was 3.4% of all university graduates in 2009, compared with 4.0% in 2005. Among the Member States, the development of the share of computing graduates between 2005 and 2009 has been mixed. The highest increases were registered in Malta (1.9% of all graduates in 2005 to 5.6% in 2009) and Hungary (2.0% to 3.4%), and the largest decreases in Portugal (5.1% to 1.7%) and the United Kingdom (5.9% to 4.0%). In 2009, the highest shares of computing graduates were found in Malta and Austria (both 5.6% of all graduates), Spain (5.1%), Cyprus (4.7%) and Estonia (4.4%).

Share of individuals having used a PC varies between 50% in Romania and 96% in Sweden

In 2011, more than three quarters of those aged 16-74 in the EU27 had used a computer, while this share was 96% amongst those aged 16-24. The highest shares of those aged 16-74 having used a computer were observed in Sweden (96%), Denmark, Luxembourg and the Netherlands (all 94%), and the lowest in Romania (50%), Bulgaria (55%) and Greece (59%). In most Member States the share of young people who had used a computer was above 95%.

A fifth of those aged 16-24 in the EU27 have written a computer program

In 2011, almost two thirds of individuals aged 16-74 in the EU27 reported having moved or copied files or folders on a computer, compared with 89% for those aged 16-24. Of those aged 16-74, 43% stated they had used basic arithmetic formulas in a spreadsheet, while this share was 67% among the younger age group. Three out of ten individuals aged 16-74 had created an electronic presentation, compared with six out of ten individuals aged 16-24. The share of individuals in the EU27 having written a computer program was 10% amongst those aged 16-74 and 20% amongst the younger age group.