Digital factors promoting women’s entry into the Serbian labour market Dejana Pavlovic 1 , Dragan Bjelica 2 1 Institute of Economic Sciences, Belgrade 2 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences dejana.pavlovic@ien.bg.ac.rs , dragan.bjelica@fon.bg.ac.rs Abstract: This paper presents the development of digital skills among women active in the Serbian labor market focusing on the need for such skills in the marketplace for those that do not already possess them. Based on the microdata received from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (SORS) and the application of proprietary SPSS, 34.2% of the populace of the Republic of Serbia are computer literate, while 14.8% are only partly computer literate (the remaining 51% are partially or entirely computer illiterate). While men are found to more likely have digital skills, women in possession of them are more likely to be employed. However, this paper finds that only 53.4% of female respondents have used a computer in the last three months, indicating insufficient opportunities and access to information regarding the employer market. Moreover, it is worrying that 38.3% of the respondents have never used a computer. It also may be concluded that implementing a strategy for the development of digital skills may bear a strong positive influence on the employment rate in such countries where there is a rift between digital skill development. These results may prove useful for further research into women’s employability vis-a-vis their digital skills. Keywords: digital skills; women; labour market; Serbia; ICT. I. Introduction The development of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) has led to changes in doing business throughout all sectors of the economy as well as has had a significant impact on individual career development. The number of experts in the labor market is evidence of the importance of ICT and the corresponding activities [1]. As demonstrated through current strategies such as Europe 2020 and Agenda 2030, digital skills are essential for competitiveness and economic development. Europe 2020 has launched seven flagship initiatives, among them is one focusing on digital-skills development. The Europe 2020 strategy also focuses on three interconnected priorities; the most important of which is smart growth that seeks the development of a knowledge and innovation-based economy, including the development of a digital society. Europe 2020 also envisages inclusive growth by raising the participation and integration of women in the labor market. Furthermore, out of a total of 17 goals in Agenda 2030 , the ninth goal is to build adaptable infrastructure, promote industrialization and achieve innovation, which implies the development of IT in all sectors of the economy and in society. In addition to the emphasis on the development of digital technology in society is women's empowerment in the labor market as a priority area, presented as the 5 th goal of the 2030 Agenda. Therefore, both the Member States and States seeking to join the EU are educating teachers as well as primary and secondary school students on ICT. Based on the Agenda 2030 and Europe 2020, both EU and developing countries have been implementing strategies [2]. The Western Balkans are highly ranked in the use of digital technologies. In recent years, the region has begun to implement strategies that address the development of digital skills. In the Republic of Serbia, 34.2% of the populace are computer literate, while 14.8% are only partly computer literate (the remaining 51% are partially or entirely computer illiterate). The Digital Agenda of Serbia, implemented from 2010 to 2020, aims to improve the use of ICT. It states that development “should be geared towards harnessing the potential of ICT to increase efficiency, economic growth, higher employment and improve the quality of life of all people." The Strategy was created on the initiative of the Europe 2020 Strategy where ICT is recognized as a major factor influencing economic growth and innovation. The aim of the paper is to present the development of digital skills in Serbia, with particular emphasis on the inequality of possession of them. Based on the microdata received from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia (ROS) and the application of SPSS software, the result may prove useful for further research to be carried out into women’s position in the labour market vis-a-vis their digital skills. II. Literature review The European Commission defines digital competence (also sometimes called digital literacy) as the confident and critical use of ICT for work, leisure and communication. Digital skills have become integrated into modern societies, economies, education and employment. The digital age has been characterized by the rise of the digital society [1] [3] where a knowledge based economy and digital information are found ubiquitously in all areas of life. In the framework of globalization, digital skills have become globally considered to be the primary criteria for employment. Several authors have recognized the impact of digital literacy on the labor market. On the basis of examining the disconnect between the needs of the labor market the digital skills available to Romanians, Titan, et al. (2014) found that there is a mutual link and impact between digital literacy and the labor market. Prizada and Khan (2013) measured the impact of digital skills on 37 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3465718