Internet use grows in Albania, but basic skills remain low

2026-05-05 12:00:00, Aktualitet CNA

Albania is showing steady progress in internet use, but is facing significant challenges in increasing the technological competence of the population, according to the latest data from the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Digital Skills Indicators Report.

During 2025, the number of individuals who regularly use the internet in our country reached 86.1% of the population, significantly approaching the Western Balkans average of 88%, although it still lags behind the European Union average of 92%.

This positive trend is also reflected in the private sector, where the number of enterprises offering training in information and communication technology (ICT) has reached 21.8%, a figure that almost completely coincides with European standards.

However, despite higher access to the network, the level of digital skills remains worrying as it has not increased over the last year. According to the Regional study, only 23.3% of Albanians possess at least basic digital skills, a figure significantly lower than the EU average of 56%.

The gap widens further in the category of skills above the basic level and in the number of ICT specialists, where the latter has suffered a slight decline to 1.0%. These data highlight the urgent need for investment in technological education. While infrastructure and use are expanding, the skills to exploit the full potential of the digital age remain at very modest levels compared to regional and European partners.

ICT workers account for only 1% of the total number of employees, while in the EU it is 5% and in the Balkan Region 3%. RCC notes that the low number of ICT workers in our country does not necessarily reflect a lack of interest in technological professions, but a brain drain, where the best professionals in the field choose to work for foreign companies abroad or through freelance platforms that are not recorded in national employment statistics.

Also, the education system and vocational training curricula in our country are not keeping up with global innovations, creating a shortage of specific profiles that today's market requires. As Albanian companies strive to digitalize, the critical lack of experts makes this process difficult./Monitor