Online learning in Europe: data, trends and industry challenges

In 2024, digital training has been characterized by strong growth. The reasons have been multiple: greater accessibility of platforms, the evolution of skills required in the job market, and changing learning habits. However, the European landscape is not uniform: while some countries lead the digital transformation of education, others lag behind, highlighting disparities in access and usage.

The landscape of online education in Europe

Online education is now an essential component of the European education system. According to Eurostat data, in 2024 33% of Internet users in the EU have taken online courses or used digital learning materials, marking an increase of 3% compared to 2023. Within this data, two modes of use are found:

• Structured online courses: followed by 18% of users, they include training paths with planned content, often aimed at obtaining certification.
• Online learning materials: used by 29% of users, they include videos, handouts, and other digital resources to support studying, without necessarily following a structured course.

The distribution of online learning among EU countries is not homogeneous. Some stand out for very high participation:

• Ireland: 61% of users engaged in digital training
• Netherlands: 59%
• Finland: 53%

At the opposite end, some countries record very low levels of participation:

• Bulgaria: 12%
• Romania: 8%

Trends driving online learning

Digital education is constantly evolving, and the growth of online training is driven by several factors.

Accessibility and digitalization

Today, anyone with an Internet connection can access high-quality courses, often free or low-cost, on various platforms.

Furthermore, the introduction of European policies for the digitalization of education has favored the development of national learning platforms and the funding of online courses for students and workers.

Changing learning habits

The way people learn is changing:

• Self-learning is becoming more widespread thanks to the possibility of following online courses at any time.
• Continuous training is increasingly necessary to remain competitive in the job market.
• Informal learning, through videos, podcasts, and online resources, is establishing itself as an alternative to traditional training.

The influence of the job market

Job market needs are influencing the growth of online education. More and more companies require constant updates on digital and technical skills, pushing workers and professionals to invest in online training to remain competitive.

Many online courses are designed to respond to these demands, with training paths oriented toward specific professional roles, such as Artificial Intelligence experts, cybersecurity, or digital marketing.

Most in-demand subjects: between digital and transversal skills

The analysis of enrollments in online courses in 2024 highlights a clear trend: digital skills are among the most sought-after.

• Artificial Intelligence: with 40% of the most followed courses in 2024 dedicated to this topic, it confirms itself as an increasingly in-demand skill in sectors such as tech, marketing, and finance. Beyond specialized professionals, workers from other sectors are also seeking to acquire basic knowledge of Artificial Intelligence to improve their productivity and adapt to changes in the job market.
• Cybersecurity: the growing concern for data protection has made information security courses among the most followed. Companies and governments increasingly require experts to protect sensitive information from cyber attacks.
• Digital marketing: e-commerce and business digitalization have made online marketing a strategic area. Courses on SEO, advertising, and social media marketing are among the most requested.
• Soft skills: beyond technical skills, online learning is also used to develop increasingly demanded topics such as problem-solving, effective communication, and time management.

Disparities between European countries: what influences participation?

Despite the general growth of online education, participation varies significantly among European Union countries. While some nations boast high enrollment rates in digital courses, others struggle to spread this learning model. But what are the factors that determine these differences?

The role of digital infrastructures and educational policies

One of the key elements is access to technology and connectivity. Countries like Ireland, the Netherlands, and Finland have invested massively in the digitalization of education, providing:

• High-speed Internet connections spread throughout the territory, even in rural areas.
• Government programs to incentivize online learning.
• National digital platforms with certified courses accessible to all.

In contrast, in countries with lower participation rates, such as Bulgaria and Romania, the digital divide is still a significant problem. The lack of adequate infrastructure and effective national strategies limits access to digital training, creating a gap compared to more advanced countries.

Socio-economic differences and access to online training

Online education, while being more accessible than traditional training, is not yet within everyone’s reach. In countries with lower average incomes, the cost of technological devices and Internet connection represents an obstacle for many people.

Furthermore, digital training requires basic skills to navigate platforms and follow courses independently. In countries with a lower average education level, the lack of digital literacy can discourage the use of online learning.

Online education and the job market

Digital learning is not just about students but also professionals and companies that see continuous training as an essential element for growth.

More and more businesses, for example, are adopting corporate eLearning systems, offering employees the possibility to update their skills through online courses. This presents several advantages:

• Reduces costs compared to classroom training.
• Allows workers to study independently, without interrupting work activity.
• Promotes reskilling and upskilling, improving company competitiveness.

In general, the most followed online courses are those that offer recognized certifications, usable in the job market. Companies tend to prefer candidates who have certifications in key areas such as data science and Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, project management, and digital marketing.

The challenges of online learning in Europe

Despite the growth of digital education, there are still several challenges to address to improve the effectiveness and accessibility of online training.

• The digital divide: access to technology remains a problem in many European areas, with strong differences between countries and even within the same nation. Added to this is a cultural divide, whereby in some contexts, online learning is still perceived as less effective than traditional training.
• The need for greater regulation and quality in online courses: the proliferation of low-value training content risks compromising the credibility of eLearning. For this reason, the possibility of introducing European standards to guarantee the quality and recognition of digital certificates is being discussed.
• The risk of generalist training that is not well-targeted: another problem is the excessive offer of generic courses that do not always respond to the real needs of the job market. Companies and institutions should incentivize the creation of more specific training paths, oriented toward truly usable skills.

Digital education is destined to evolve further in the coming years. The future of eLearning will increasingly depend on the ability to innovate, personalize the training experience, and ensure high-quality standards.

For online training to become truly effective in all EU countries, collaboration between the public and private sectors is fundamental. Governments, universities, and companies must work together to create quality training programs, offer economic incentives for digital learning, and guarantee access to online courses even for the less affluent segments of the population.