For the tenth time, Initiative D21 is providing a status report on the state of digitalisation in Germany with this year’s Digital Index 2022/23. The current analysis focuses on five key aspects of digital change: the degree of digitalisation of the population, the resilience and future viability of the digital society, the digitalisation of the economy and labour market, the impact of digitalisation on social cohesion and democracy, and the interplay between digital transformation and sustainability transformation.
To measure the degree of digitalisation of the population, the degree of digitalisation of German society is calculated based on the four dimensions of access, skills, basic attitude and use. With an average of 57 out of 100 points, this is in the midfield. Overall, 55% of the population has a medium level of digitalisation, 30% have a high or very high level and only 15% have a low or very low level of digitalisation.
However, an increasing digital divide can be observed: Women, older people and people with a low level of education are particularly likely to have a low level of digitalisation and therefore run the risk of being excluded from social participation in an increasingly digitalised society.
On the other hand, resilience and adaptability to the ongoing changes associated with digitalisation are most pronounced among those citizens who already have a high level of digital skills and are also open to ongoing digitalisation processes. This is the case for 64% of citizens to a sufficient degree. Even though a majority of the population still has a positive attitude towards digitalisation, this proportion is stagnating and even declining in some areas. For example, only just over half of respondents now believe they will benefit personally from digitalisation.
The majority (56%) are also positive about the impact of digitalisation on democracy in Germany. Only a quarter believe that the digital transformation will have a negative impact on democracy. However, 64% are of the opinion that the greatest threat to democracy posed by digitalisation comes in the form of disinformation online.
Nowhere are the effects of digitalisation as obvious as in the labour market. For example, 80% of respondents agree with the statement that without basic digital skills, there are hardly any opportunities on the labour market. However, just 31% believe that the necessary skills to deal with digitalisation are taught in German schools. Only a small majority of 58% also believe that their own employer is taking appropriate measures to keep pace with advancing digitalisation.
This year’s Digital Index pays particular attention to the understanding of digitalisation processes against the backdrop of the so-called twin transformation, the complex interplay of digital and ecological change in the economy and society. It is true that citizens find it difficult to assess the many interdependencies between digital transformation and climate protection measures. However, 35% of respondents see great potential in digital technologies on the path to independence from fossil fuels.
