GITNUXREPORT 2025

Digital Literacy Statistics

Digital literacy is essential for jobs, education, safety, and economic growth.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

In developing countries, only 35% of the population has basic digital literacy skills

Statistic 2

25% of adults have never used the internet

Statistic 3

40% of digital literacy programs are not accessible to rural populations

Statistic 4

Only 25% of adults in low-income households have internet access at home

Statistic 5

45% of adults in developing countries are still offline and lack basic digital skills

Statistic 6

The average person spends over 7 hours per day online

Statistic 7

Digital literacy enhances civic participation, with 70% of digitally literate individuals more likely to engage in online activism

Statistic 8

75% of teenagers have experienced online harassment

Statistic 9

62% of students in K-12 lack skills in identifying credible online sources

Statistic 10

78% of online adults feel they need to learn more about online privacy and security

Statistic 11

66% of users struggle to differentiate between legitimate and fake news online

Statistic 12

70% of teachers report that students lack the skills to evaluate online information critically

Statistic 13

50% of online fraud cases involve lack of digital literacy

Statistic 14

68% of youth are unaware of how their data is being used online

Statistic 15

Digital literacy reduces the risk of falling victim to online scams by up to 70%

Statistic 16

82% of online users think digital literacy is essential for personal safety online

Statistic 17

Approximately 90% of jobs require digital literacy skills

Statistic 18

Nearly 60% of adults in the U.S. lack basic digital literacy skills

Statistic 19

70% of employers say that digital skills are a top priority for new hires

Statistic 20

80% of employers report difficulty filling digital-related positions

Statistic 21

55% of Americans do not have adequate digital literacy skills to manage daily online tasks

Statistic 22

92% of jobs will require some level of digital skills in the near future

Statistic 23

Digital literacy is linked to higher income levels, with some studies showing up to a 10% income increase for digitally literate individuals

Statistic 24

88% of CEOs believe digital skills are critical for innovation

Statistic 25

Only 35% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a comprehensive digital literacy strategy

Statistic 26

The global digital literacy market is expected to reach $21 billion by 2025

Statistic 27

59% of workers say they have improved their digital skills through online courses

Statistic 28

Women are 20% less likely than men to have advanced digital literacy skills

Statistic 29

45% of job applications are rejected due to inadequate digital skills

Statistic 30

80% of organizations believe digital literacy will be a key indicator of future employability

Statistic 31

83% of educators agree that digital literacy should be integrated into the school curriculum

Statistic 32

In 2022, global digital literacy levels have increased by 15% compared to 2019

Statistic 33

65% of entrepreneurs view digital literacy as a competitive advantage

Statistic 34

35% of small business owners feel prepared to manage digital security risks

Statistic 35

60% of organizations report that a lack of digital literacy hinders their digital transformation efforts

Statistic 36

Improved digital literacy among staff correlates with a 25% increase in productivity

Statistic 37

86% of companies provide digital literacy training as part of onboarding

Statistic 38

Around 85% of teachers believe digital literacy is essential for students’ success

Statistic 39

Only 50% of educators have received formal training in digital literacy

Statistic 40

Less than 40% of students feel confident in their digital literacy skills

Statistic 41

65% of educators believe students lack critical digital literacy skills

Statistic 42

Only 20% of adults have received formal instruction in digital literacy

Statistic 43

45% of teachers feel unprepared to teach digital literacy

Statistic 44

48% of college students report that digital literacy is critical for academic success

Statistic 45

Only 30% of seniors report being confident in their digital literacy skills

Statistic 46

The number of digital literacy courses offered by universities has increased by 40% in the last five years

Statistic 47

90% of digital literacy skills are acquired through informal learning sources

Statistic 48

53% of teachers report that students struggle with online collaboration tools due to lack of digital skills

Statistic 49

The number of youth enrolled in online digital literacy programs has grown by 50% over the past three years

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Key Highlights

Approximately 90% of jobs require digital literacy skills
Nearly 60% of adults in the U.S. lack basic digital literacy skills
Around 85% of teachers believe digital literacy is essential for students’ success
Only 50% of educators have received formal training in digital literacy
70% of employers say that digital skills are a top priority for new hires
Less than 40% of students feel confident in their digital literacy skills
65% of educators believe students lack critical digital literacy skills
The average person spends over 7 hours per day online
75% of teenagers have experienced online harassment
Only 20% of adults have received formal instruction in digital literacy
80% of employers report difficulty filling digital-related positions
55% of Americans do not have adequate digital literacy skills to manage daily online tasks
In developing countries, only 35% of the population has basic digital literacy skills

With over 90% of jobs now demanding digital literacy skills, yet nearly 60% of U.S. adults lacking basic digital competence, it’s clear that bridging this digital divide is essential for personal success, economic growth, and societal safety.

Access, Inclusivity, and Global Disparities

In developing countries, only 35% of the population has basic digital literacy skills
25% of adults have never used the internet
40% of digital literacy programs are not accessible to rural populations
Only 25% of adults in low-income households have internet access at home
45% of adults in developing countries are still offline and lack basic digital skills

Access, Inclusivity, and Global Disparities Interpretation

These statistics reveal that in developing countries, digital literacy remains a distant frontier—leaving over half the population offline and unconnected, highlighting a critical need for inclusive access and education to bridge the global digital divide.

Digital Behavior and Engagement

The average person spends over 7 hours per day online
Digital literacy enhances civic participation, with 70% of digitally literate individuals more likely to engage in online activism

Digital Behavior and Engagement Interpretation

With over 7 hours a day online, digital literacy isn't just a skill—it's the digital megaphone amplifying civic voices, as 70% of literate individuals are more likely to champion change through online activism.

Digital Literacy and Online Safety

75% of teenagers have experienced online harassment
62% of students in K-12 lack skills in identifying credible online sources
78% of online adults feel they need to learn more about online privacy and security
66% of users struggle to differentiate between legitimate and fake news online
70% of teachers report that students lack the skills to evaluate online information critically
50% of online fraud cases involve lack of digital literacy
68% of youth are unaware of how their data is being used online
Digital literacy reduces the risk of falling victim to online scams by up to 70%
82% of online users think digital literacy is essential for personal safety online

Digital Literacy and Online Safety Interpretation

Despite widespread recognition of digital literacy's importance—80% of online users deem it essential for safety—over 75% of teenagers face online harassment and most struggle to discern credible sources, highlighting that without targeted education, the digital age remains a minefield rather than a marketplace of opportunity.

Digital Skills in the Workforce and Economy

Approximately 90% of jobs require digital literacy skills
Nearly 60% of adults in the U.S. lack basic digital literacy skills
70% of employers say that digital skills are a top priority for new hires
80% of employers report difficulty filling digital-related positions
55% of Americans do not have adequate digital literacy skills to manage daily online tasks
92% of jobs will require some level of digital skills in the near future
Digital literacy is linked to higher income levels, with some studies showing up to a 10% income increase for digitally literate individuals
88% of CEOs believe digital skills are critical for innovation
Only 35% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a comprehensive digital literacy strategy
The global digital literacy market is expected to reach $21 billion by 2025
59% of workers say they have improved their digital skills through online courses
Women are 20% less likely than men to have advanced digital literacy skills
45% of job applications are rejected due to inadequate digital skills
80% of organizations believe digital literacy will be a key indicator of future employability
83% of educators agree that digital literacy should be integrated into the school curriculum
In 2022, global digital literacy levels have increased by 15% compared to 2019
65% of entrepreneurs view digital literacy as a competitive advantage
35% of small business owners feel prepared to manage digital security risks
60% of organizations report that a lack of digital literacy hinders their digital transformation efforts
Improved digital literacy among staff correlates with a 25% increase in productivity
86% of companies provide digital literacy training as part of onboarding

Digital Skills in the Workforce and Economy Interpretation

Despite 90% of jobs requiring digital literacy and the promise of a $21 billion market by 2025, the stark reality remains that nearly 60% of Americans lack basic skills, leaving a digital skills gap that both hampers individual income growth and stalls organizational innovation in the race toward a tech-driven future.

Educational Attainment and Preparedness

Around 85% of teachers believe digital literacy is essential for students’ success
Only 50% of educators have received formal training in digital literacy
Less than 40% of students feel confident in their digital literacy skills
65% of educators believe students lack critical digital literacy skills
Only 20% of adults have received formal instruction in digital literacy
45% of teachers feel unprepared to teach digital literacy
48% of college students report that digital literacy is critical for academic success
Only 30% of seniors report being confident in their digital literacy skills
The number of digital literacy courses offered by universities has increased by 40% in the last five years
90% of digital literacy skills are acquired through informal learning sources
53% of teachers report that students struggle with online collaboration tools due to lack of digital skills
The number of youth enrolled in online digital literacy programs has grown by 50% over the past three years

Educational Attainment and Preparedness Interpretation

While the majority of educators recognize digital literacy as crucial for success, the startling gaps in formal training, student confidence, and equitable access reveal that we're still teaching students to navigate the digital ages with one hand tied behind their backs—highlighting an urgent need for structured, widespread digital literacy education.