2026 State of the Digital Decade report shows progress but urges closing structural gaps to reach 2030 goals

The European Commission's "State of the Digital Decade 2026" report indicates progress towards 2030 digital transformation goals, particularly in secure digital infrastructures and public service digitalization. Despite these advancements, the report stresses the urgent need to address structural gaps to ensure these objectives are met consistently and at scale, highlighting a critical juncture for Europe's digital future. The report, accompanied by a Special Eurobarometer revealing strong public backing for a more autonomous European digital presence, evaluates the EU's performance across key digital areas. These include critical infrastructures, business digitalization, digital skills development, and the digitization of public services, serving as a strategic guide for investments. The findings are intended to inform future EU funding allocations within the next Multiannual Financial Framework, emphasizing priority reforms and investments at both EU and Member State levels. This initiative directly impacts European citizens and businesses by aiming to bolster the continent's technological sovereignty and resilience. Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen noted the established foundations of the EU's digital transformation and underscored the necessity of continued efforts, citing recent measures in semiconductors, AI, cloud computing, and open source as pivotal for strengthening Europe's autonomy.