The way we learn has changed significantly in recent years. Education is no longer limited to physical classrooms, lecture halls and fixed timetables, but is increasingly moving into the digital environment, where learning content is accessible anytime and from anywhere. E-learning has therefore become an important part of modern education, offering greater flexibility in line with the rhythm of everyday life.
The development of e-learning is also highly evident in the European Union (EU), where more and more people are using online learning and digital learning materials. Online courses, digital learning materials and other forms of online learning are no longer just a supplement to traditional education, but are becoming an important part of lifelong learning, competence development and adaptation to the rapidly changing labour market.
Data shows that the popularity of e-learning in the EU is steadily increasing. In 2025, more than a third of internet users in the EU, specifically 34.8%, attended an online course or used online learning materials. This is more than the previous year, when the share stood at 33.4%, and significantly more than in 2019 – 21.4% (Eurostat, 2026).
This is a clear indication of the growing trend in e-learning, which was also accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and should be understood not only as a consequence of technological development, but also as a response to the modern way of life. Today, people are looking for education that adapts to them – not the other way around. They want pathways to knowledge that offer greater independence, better time coordination and easier access to content.
E-learning responds to the needs of modern people by offering education that adapts to them – not the other way around.
The fact that internet users use online learning materials almost twice as often as they enrol in formal online courses is particularly interesting (Eurostat, 2026). This suggests that many people prefer a more independent and less formal way of learning. Instead of following a strictly defined programme, individuals can gain knowledge continuously, according to their interests, at their own pace and when it suits them best. This is where e-learning shows one of its key advantages: it allows more freedom in planning studying and greater flexibility in balancing education with work, family and other responsibilities; which are also the main advantages of e-learning: greater freedom and flexibility.
Although the growth of e-learning is present across the EU, considerable differences remain between the Member States. In 2025, the highest share of users engaging in online learning or using digital learning materials was recorded in the Netherlands, where it reached 60.2%. Followed by Ireland with 59.7%, Finland with 50.7% and Sweden with 50.6%. On the other side, the figures were significantly lower in Romania, where the share was 11.8%, Bulgaria with 18.4% and Cyprus with 21.0%. Slovenia, with more than 40%, ranks above the European average and takes 7th place among Member States.
Eurostat data (2026) thus show that e-learning is not equally developed everywhere, but is often linked to a country’s digital development, access to technology and the digital skills of its population.
E-learning is important not only because it is “modern” or technologically advanced, but also because it has very practical advantages. It enables wider access to knowledge, reduces geographical barriers and makes it easier to acquire new knowledge and skills. For students, e-learning means additional opportunities for study and independent deepening of knowledge, while for employees it offers the opportunity for continuous learning alongside work and competitiveness in the job market.
Despite positive trends, the development of e-learning also brings certain challenges. Large differences between European countries show that access to digital education is not equally developed everywhere. The European Commission highlights challenges such as unequal access to technology, a lack of digital skills and varying levels of readiness among educational institutions for the digital delivery of teaching (European Commission, 2026).
Despite these challenges, it is clear that e-learning is becoming an increasingly important part of the European educational area. The use of online courses and digital learning materials is growing, while the need for flexible learning is increasing. E-learning is therefore no longer just a supplement to traditional education, but is becoming one of its very important forms.
At DOBA University of Applied Sciences, we are aware of this as well, since e-learning is the central mode of study. It takes place entirely online, enabling students a high level of flexibility and making it easier to balance study obligations with work, family and other areas of life. Today, this freedom in organising study is one of the greatest advantages of modern education.
E-learning is not just a trend; it is the future of education – and that future is already happening today.
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