Study by the University of Bonn and the Vodafone Institute: Autonomy Is Particularly Low When It Comes to Digital Platforms

Dependence on digital technologies in the European Union continues to grow—despite all calls for greater digital sovereignty. Between 2010 and 2023, Europe’s “Digital Dependence Index” (DDI) rose by 0.5 percentage points, while China reduced its dependence by nearly 11 percentage points and the U.S. by 6 percentage points. A major weakness lies in digital platforms, where European countries are almost entirely dependent on foreign providers. This is according to a policy study by the Vodafone Institute and the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) at the University of Bonn.

Despite numerous initiatives to strengthen technological autonomy, Europe became more dependent on digital technologies from abroad between 2010 and 2023—according to a new study by the Vodafone Institute and the University of Bonn. The policy study “Getting Strategic Priorities Right – Towards a Framework for Reducing Digital Dependencies” is the result of a year-long collaboration between the Vodafone Institute and the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) at the University of Bonn.

The University of Bonn’s “Digital Dependence Index,” on which the study is based, compares 51 countries—including 16 European countries—across four dimensions: trade in information and communication technology (ICT) goods, trade in ICT services, digital platforms, and ICT patents. The study highlights how countries’ dependence on foreign digital technologies changed annually between 2010 and 2023.

Moderate to High Level of Digital Dependence

Europe’s digital dependence increased by about 0.5 percentage points overall during this period. In comparison, China reduced its dependence by nearly 11 percentage points, and the United States by 6 percentage points. Throughout the period under review, European countries consistently exhibited moderate to high levels of digital dependence. Their greatest vulnerability lay in the area of digital platforms, where European countries were almost entirely dependent on foreign providers.

Between 2010 and 2023, the largest percentage point increases in digital dependence were recorded in Finland (13.7), Sweden (7.2), Norway (6.4), Estonia (3.9), and France (3.1). The sharpest declines in Europe were observed in Serbia (-17.3), the Czech Republic (-5.5), Poland (-4.2), and the United Kingdom (-3.5). Europe also remained highly dependent on foreign ICT patents. This limits its ability to capitalize on the economic and strategic benefits of technological innovations.

Joakim Reiter, Vodafone Group Chief External & Corporate Affairs Officer said: “Europe has spent years deliberating on digital sovereignty, but the evidence shows that its underlying dependence remains high. While the United States and China have strengthened their positions, Europe has fallen slightly further in the wrong direction. Europe has significant industrial, research and engineering strengths, but it needs to decide where those strengths can make the greatest difference. That means setting clear priorities, coordinating action across borders and sustaining investment beyond individual political cycles.”

No Uniform Dependency Profile

The study shows that European countries do not have a uniform dependency profile. They exhibit different capabilities and vulnerabilities. Therefore, a uniform Europe-wide policy does not appear advisable. Furthermore, the study shows that previous political efforts to achieve greater technological autonomy were too ambitious.

Maximilian Mayer, Professor for International Relations and Global Politics of Technology at the University of Bonn said: “Although European governments have implemented various policies and measures to foster digital sovereignty, their efforts have not been ambitious enough. One of the key problems is clearly the lack of strategic priorities for increasing digital capabilities and addressing digital dependencies.” Mayer’s CASSIS colleague Dr. Laura Mahrenbach adds: “Setting priorities isn’t enough on its own. To achieve those priorities, Europe needs to be smart in implementing digital resilience measures and engage more with international strategic partners.”

Four Policy Pathways

The researchers identify four evidence-based policy pathways, some of which can be combined:

• Building indispensable positions in the supply chain: Strengthening Europe’s existing industrial and technological capacities.
• Creating a European technology powerhouse: Making substantial investments in a competitive European approach, including platforms, infrastructure, patents, and homegrown technology companies.
• Addressing the most serious vulnerabilities: Identifying and eliminating critical technological bottlenecks, particularly where security and essential government functions are at stake.
• Diversification: Reducing excessive dependence on a small number of foreign suppliers by expanding European capabilities and forging new international technology partnerships.

The study recommends that European policymakers agree on common strategic priorities as soon as possible. They should also coordinate regulation, innovation, investment, and procurement across national borders and align short-, medium-, and long-term measures. It is also crucial to launch a long-term public debate on the benefits of greater digital resilience.

Website for the “Digital Dependence Index”

In addition to the study, an interactive website for the “Digital Dependence Index” – https://digitaldependence.eu/ – allows users to track changes in digital dependencies in detail. Policy makers, researchers, businesses, and the general public can use it to compare countries and regions, examine changes in country profiles over time, and view the underlying data. It also includes an AI-powered tool designed to help users navigate the dataset and understand its political context.

Study: https://www.vodafone-institut.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/digital-dependencies.pdf

DDI-Website: https://digitaldependence.eu/

Vodafone Institute: https://www.vodafone-institut.de/en/publication/digital-dependencies/