The information and communications technology (ICT) sector continues to be one of the fastest-growing areas of the European Union’s economy. According to new Eurostat data for 2025, more than 10.4 million people are now employed as ICT specialists across EU countries. This includes software developers, IT engineers, cybersecurity specialists, data analysts, system administrators, and other professionals working in digital technologies.
The share of ICT workers in total EU employment has reached 5%, up by 0.1 percentage points compared to 2024 and 1.5 percentage points higher than in 2015. Experts note that despite slower growth following the pandemic, Europe’s technology sector remains resilient and continues to create new jobs even amid economic uncertainty.
Cyprus Remains Close to the EU Average for IT Specialists
In Cyprus, ICT specialists account for 4.9% of total employment. While this is slightly below the European Union average, the island continues to actively develop its digital economy and attract international technology companies.
In recent years, Cyprus has become one of the preferred destinations for the relocation of technology businesses, startups, and professionals from Europe, the CIS region, and the Middle East. Fintech, online services, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity are among the fastest-growing sectors. The Cypriot government also continues to invest in the digital transformation of public services and the development of IT infrastructure, further stimulating demand for qualified specialists.
The Pandemic Accelerated the Growth of Europe’s IT Market
The fastest growth in ICT employment was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, when demand for remote work, digital services, and online infrastructure increased dramatically. In 2020, the number of IT specialists in the EU grew by 7.1%, followed by another 5.7% increase in 2021.
After the pandemic, growth rates gradually began to slow. Employment growth reached 4% between 2022 and 2023, 4.5% between 2023 and 2024, and declined to 2.6% between 2024 and 2025. Nevertheless, Eurostat emphasizes that the technology sector remains one of the most stable and resilient areas of the European economy. Today, additional growth drivers include artificial intelligence, automation, cloud technologies, data centre development, and strengthened digital security.
Which Countries Lead in the Number of IT Specialists?
The highest share of ICT workers was recorded in Sweden, where technology specialists account for 8.9% of total employment.
Luxembourg follows with 8.7%, while Finland ranks third with 7.8% of its workforce employed in the IT sector.
The lowest figures were recorded in Greece at 2.5%, Romania at 2.7%, and Italy at 3.8%.
Analysts note that Northern European countries continue to lead thanks to their highly digitalized economies, strong education systems, and long-term investment in innovation.
Europe’s IT Sector Remains Predominantly Male
Despite the rapid growth of technology, Europe’s ICT market remains largely male-dominated. According to Eurostat, men accounted for 80.5% of all ICT workers in the EU in 2025, while women represented just 19.5%. Although female participation in the technology sector has increased by approximately three percentage points since 2015, the gender gap remains one of the key challenges facing Europe’s IT industry.
In Cyprus, the situation closely mirrors the European average. Men account for 79.9% of ICT employees, while women make up 20.1%. The lowest proportion of women in IT was recorded in the Czech Republic at 12.9%, Hungary at 15%, and Slovakia at 15.5%. Meanwhile, the highest levels of female participation in the technology sector were recorded in Romania at 27.8%, Latvia at 25.9%, and Bulgaria at 25%.
Why the IT Sector Is Becoming Key to Europe’s Economy
The development of ICT is now regarded as one of the main drivers of Europe’s digital transformation. The European Union continues to invest heavily in digital skills programmes, specialist training, and initiatives aimed at increasing female participation in technology professions. Particular attention is being given to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud platforms, and digital infrastructure.
Experts predict that the shortage of qualified IT professionals in Europe will only intensify in the coming years. Against the backdrop of global competition for technological talent, EU countries are already simplifying conditions for international specialists and encouraging the growth of local technology ecosystems. For Cyprus, this creates additional opportunities to become one of the Mediterranean region’s leading digital economy hubs, particularly in fintech, software development, and international technology services.