Katarzyna Żmija

Krakow University of Economics,

Krakow, Poland

E-mail: zmijak@uek.krakow.pl

ORCID 0000-0002-4119-8012 

The digital divide in the Visegrad countries - insights from a comparative analysis.

Wahida Ahmad

Arshad Ayub Graduate Business School,

Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia

E-mail: wahida@uitm.edu.my ORCID 0000-0002-8874-8229

Wojciech Szymla

Krakow University of Economics,

Krakow, Poland

E-mail: szymlaw@uek.krakow.pl

ORCID 0000-0003-4580-9084

Marcin Suder

AGH University of Krakow,

Krakow, Poland

E-mail: msuder@agh.edu.pl 

ORCID 0000-0001-6279-7359

Gagan Deep Sharma

Széchenyi István University, Győr, Hungary;

AGH University of Krakow, Poland;

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Sector 16C, Dwarka, New Delhi, India

Email: angrishgagan@gmail.com 

ORCID: 0000-0001-5379-0761

Abstract. The Visegrad Group, comprised of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, provides a compelling case of digital transformation. These countries, with similar historical and socioeconomic backgrounds, are working to overcome the digital divide, recognizing its role in future economic growth. This paper analyzes and assesses the digital divide between the Visegrad countries and the remaining EU member states during the period 2017-2022. A comparative analysis was carried out based on Eurostat DESI statistics and its four sub-indices. To uncover major similarities and contrasts, the Ward method was used. Our findings demonstrate significant disparities in access, skills, and usage between V4 and other EU states, reflecting the strengths and weaknesses of each country's digital development. We identify key similarities and contrasts within the V4 before and during the pandemic. Results reveal substantial heterogeneity across the V4, with varying performance across the four dimensions of digitalization. Consequently, the V4 cannot be considered a homogenous bloc, as digital inequalities persist, particularly concerning access, skills and ICT usage. Both narrowing and widening of the digital divide occurred, depending on the country and dimension. Even in areas of improvement, substantial room for further development remains.

Received: August, 2025

1st Revision: April, 2026

Accepted: June, 2026

DOI: 10.14254/2071-789X.2026/19-2/11

JEL Classification: O33, O52, J24

Keywords: digital divide, digitalization, Visegrad Group, V4, European Union