Digital Skills in Switzerland Show Strong Access but Clear Inequalities.

Switzerland continues to perform strongly in digital development, but a new report from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) highlights significant gaps in digital skills across different population groups.

Overall, Switzerland ranks above the EU average in internet access, online services, and digital abilities. Nearly all households—about 99%—have internet access, and most people use the internet daily. However, the report confirms that access alone does not guarantee equal digital participation.

Older adults, people with lower levels of education, and individuals in lower-skilled occupations face the greatest challenges. While more than three-quarters of people aged 16 to 74 have basic digital skills, this figure drops sharply among those over 60 and those without post-compulsory education.

The gap becomes more visible in the use of digital services. Around 81% of residents use e-banking, but only 62% of people over 60 do so. The difference is even more striking in artificial intelligence usage, where 75% of young people aged 15–29 use AI tools compared to just 15% of older adults.

Gender differences also remain. Men use generative AI more often than women, while higher education levels strongly correlate with better digital skills.

The FSO warns that digital inclusion must improve so that all citizens can fully participate in modern society, especially as services increasingly move online.