Affiliation:
1. Institute of Economic Sciences, Belgrade, Serbia
Abstract
The chapter aims to show the development of the information society in the EU countries, its digital progress, and its repercussions on the economy of Serbia as a country that is a candidate for EU membership. The methodological concept and the analysis are based on the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), an official report of the European Commission. The DESI 2022 reports track the advancements made in the digital space in EU Member States and are primarily based on 2021 data. The findings of the study revealed that although Member States made progress in their efforts to go digital during the COVID-19 timeframe, they are still unable to address the gaps in digital skills, transform SMEs into digital businesses, or put out cutting-edge 5G networks. Also, the results show moderate progress in the development of the information society in Serbia in terms of the functioning of the internal market for electronic communications, the availability of modern electronic services, the development of information security, and the application of eGovernment and eCommerce.