World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

More men with above basic digital skills

The digital transformation of society and the economy is taking place through the integration of various technologies into all sectors of society. Enterprises are striving for automation and increased efficiency, while digitalization enables public institutions to provide services via the Internet.

The World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, celebrated every year on 17 May, aims to raise awareness of the importance of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT). This year’s theme Gender Equality in Digital Transformation highlights the need for inclusive technological solutions that benefit everyone. At the same time, diverse teams bring different perspectives and ideas for further development. To what extent do women participate in Slovenia’s digital society and its development?

The Internet, which is key to digitalization as it enables the rapid and efficient exchange of information and the connection of people and devices, was used in the first quarter of 2024 by 91% of individuals aged 16 to 74. The share was the same (91%) for both men and women.

The Internet has never been used by 7% of individuals. Of those 51% were men and 49% women. 83% of men who never used the Internet answered that they do not need it. The share among women was 75%. 32% of women lacked skills to use the computer, Internet (27% of men).

In 2023, 13% of men and 14% of women had no digital skills. 21% of men and 17% of women had above basic digital skills and 29% of women and 26% of men had basic digital skills.

Almost 40,000 employed ICT specialists

For a successful digital society and economy, key employees are those who are capable of developing, managing and maintaining ICT systems, i.e. ICT specialists. In 2024, there were 39,840 employed ICT specialists in Slovenia, which represents 4.2% of all persons in employment. In comparison with 2020, when they represented 3.9% of all persons in employment, their number increased by 16%.

A review by gender shows that 82% of employed ICT specialists were men and 18% women. In comparison with 2020, the share of women among ICT specialists increased by one percentage point.



Over a tenth of software developers are women

ICT specialists are considered those working in 24 occupational group. The number of male ICT specialists increased in the 2020–2024 period by 15% and of female ICT specialists by 23%. The largest number of ICT specialists was in the occupational group Applications programmers – 5,381, of those 10% females, and in the occupational group Software developers – 5,190, of those 11% females. The number of employed ICT specialist increased in comparison with 2020 in the first group by 10% and in second by 38%.

With 56% of employed ICT specialist women prevailed in the occupational group Database designers and administrators. They accounted for 47% of employees in the group Graphic and multimedia designers and 43% in the group Information technology trainers.





Almost two thirds of enterprises encountered difficulties when recruiting ICT specialists

In 2024, 18% of enterprises with 10 or more employees and self-employed employed ICT specialists (20% in EU): 12% of small, 34% of medium-sized and 87% of large enterprises.
In 2023, in 73% of enterprises ICT functions were performed by external suppliers and in 37% by own employees, including those employed in parent or affiliate enterprises, e.g. maintenance of ICT infrastructure, development of support for business management software, web solutions, taking care of data security and protection.

In 2023, 8% of enterprises recruited or tried to recruit ICT specialists (10% in EU): 6% of small, 13% of medium-sized and 52% of large enterprises. Of those 64% (58% in EU) encountered one of the following difficulties:

• 84% lack of applications,
• 83% applicants' lack of relevant work experience,
• 79% applicants' salary expectations too high,
• 54% applicants' lack of relevant ICT-related qualifications (e.g. from education and/or training).

More women use public authorities' websites or apps

The digitalization of public administration increases efficiency, and enables citizens and enterprises easy access to various services over the Internet. In 2024, 74% of individuals aged from 16 to 74 years (70% in EU) used in the period of 12 months public authorities' websites or apps (71% in 2023) – 72% of men (70% in EU) and 76% of women (70% in EU). In comparison with 2023, the usage increased among men by two and among women by four percentage points.

A review of online-performed activities shows that more women use the services provided by public authorities over the Internet.



33% of individuals aged from 16 to 74 years encountered problems when using public authorities' websites or apps in the period of 12 months – 34% of men and 33% of women. Among male users, the number one problem with 14% was that the website or app was difficult to use, e.g. the wording was not clear, the procedure was not well explained, and among women with 14% technical problems when using the website or app, e.g. long loading, website crashed.

No major gender differences in the purpose of using the Internet

There were no major gender differences in using the Internet for private purposes in 2024, with even more women than men performing certain activities.



At least one online purchase was made between April 2023 and March 2024 by 66% of individuals aged from 16 to 74 years: 64% of men and 69% of women.

23% of men and 20% of women used generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini, DALL-E. Artificial intelligence technologies are known to 60% of men and 55% of women.