The digital divide in later life: ICT education and digital skills of the elderly in the EU

The paper examines the digital divide at older ages in the European Union, with a focus on ICT education and the level of digital skills among older adults, in a context marked by the accelerated digitalisation of public services, education, and everyday life. The study conceptualises the age-related digital divide as a cumulative mechanism of social inequalities, with direct implications for social participation and digital citizenship. The methodology relies exclusively on secondary analysis of Eurostat data, using indicators related to ICT use, levels of digital skills, and participation in ICT education and training for the period 2013–2024. The analysis adopts a comparative perspective, focusing on the 65–74 age group in relation to the adult population, while taking into account differences across EU Member States and the influence of structural factors such as educational attainment, gender, and type of residence. The strategy combines descriptive analysis, the construction of composite indicators, and the identification of typologies of European Member States according to the degree of digital inclusion among older adults. This paper highlights the role of digital education as a key instrument for active ageing and social cohesion and formulates public policy recommendations regarding the integration of ICT education into lifelong learning and digital inclusion strategies targeted at seniors. The study aligns with the ICVL thematic framework through its critical and empirical approach to the use of digital technologies in education and training, offering a relevant comparative perspective for the design of public policies adapted to the digital society.