In rural Moldova, adults are eager to embrace the digital world—but lack of confidence, fear of mistakes, and unfamiliarity with technology often hold them back. A recent ITU digital literacy assessment of the adult population aged 45 to 64 revealed that while access to devices and the Internet is increasingly common, meaningful engagement remains limited.

“There is Internet, but many families don’t use it because they don’t know how or they are afraid,” said Petru, a Unified Public Service Centers (CUPS) Specialist. CUPS are public spaces that have computers and Internet access, enabling citizens to access a range of electronic public services.

The assessment, conducted with over 1,650 individuals across the country and supported by focus groups and expert interviews, found that although 80% of rural adults own smartphones, most use them only for basic communication or passive consumption. Few people surveyed engage in online payments, use e-government services, or apply digital tools in the workplace.

Yet, it also showed that rural adults are open to digital training if it is practical, hands-on and community based.

“No need for theory: we need to see how to do it with our hands, not with words,” said one female participant, aged 63.

The assessment points to a clear path forward to support the development of digital skills in rural areas, including: the establishment of local digital learning centres, the training of community-based digital facilitators, and the promotion of public policies that recognize digital literacy as foundational to both social inclusion and economic resilience.

These steps are also aligned with Moldova’s Digital Transformation Strategy 2023–2030, which aims to develop an innovative and inclusive digital society that makes full use of digital opportunities.

This is an ITU Development #DigitalImpactUnlocked story

About the project

The assessment was conducted as part of the Digital Literacy Assessment of Adult Population in Moldova, implemented through an UN-to-UN Transfer Agreement with the International Labour Organization (ILO). The assessment evaluates the rural communities’ current competencies and provides insights into the digital skills necessary for improving their employability. To effectively carry out the assessment and leverage the expertise required, the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) provided specialized knowledge and resources in digital skills assessments, enhancing the quality and impact of the evaluation.