BRUSSELS, Belgium – More than a third of adults in the European Union are unable to perform basic computer tasks such as using a mouse to open Internet or word processing programs, according to a survey released Tuesday.
Denmark and Sweden fared the best in the survey by the European Commission's statistical office, with 90 percent of the population between the ages of 16 and 74 being computer literate.
In Greece, on the other hand, 65 percent of the population lacks basic computer skills, such as using the Internet or copying and pasting text, according to Eurostat.
Only 4 percent of European students said they had no computer skills, compared with 65 percent in the 55-74 age group, based on data provided by EU member states.
European governments have been trying to increase digital education and training as part of efforts to boost the EU's sluggish economic growth prospects and increase the bloc's competitive edge against the United States and booming economies in Asia.
The EU survey was conducted between April and June last year, and questioned people between the ages of 16 and 74 in 123,941 households.
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