Generative AI in Europe 2025: 64% of Youth Already Use

In 2025, 63.8% of young Europeans between the ages of 16 and 24 used generative artificial intelligence tools—nearly double the rate recorded for the general population (32.7% of people between 16 and 74). The data, published by Eurostat in February 2026 for Safer Internet Day, confirms that European Generation Z is at the forefront of AI adoption.

In this article, we will dive into official European figures to understand how this technology is changing the game. We have prepared rankings by country and a real analysis of the impact on the labor market and studies—valuable information if you are looking for an opportunity on the continent.

The Overview: Generative AI in the EU in 2025

Generative artificial intelligence—technology capable of creating text, images, code, and videos from user instructions—has moved from being a technological novelty to a daily tool for millions of Europeans. Data from the European survey on ICT usage by individuals (dataset isoc_ai_iaiu) reveals massive adoption, especially among the youngest.

The generational contrast is striking: while nearly 2 out of 3 young people (63.8%) have already used tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, or Midjourney, only 1 out of 3 adults (32.7%) in the general population has done the same. This data positions European Generation Z as the primary driver of AI-based digital transformation.

What is it Used For? The 3 Purposes of Generative AI

So, what are these young people doing online? Eurostat data shows three main paths, and the differences between generations are quite curious:

🏠 Personal Use: 44.2% of Youth vs. 25.1% of the General Population

Use for personal purposes—curiosity, entertainment, social media content creation, travel planning, or solving daily questions—is the most common purpose among young people. Tools like image generators, creative writing assistants, and conversational chatbots dominate this segment.

🎓 Formal Education: 39.3% of Youth vs. 9.4% of the General Population

The most significant difference between age groups arises in educational use. Nearly 4 out of 10 young people use generative AI as a study tool—to summarize texts, explain complex concepts, practice languages, generate exercises, or assist in writing academic papers. In the general population, this use is residual (9.4%), reflecting lower presence in formal educational contexts.

This data has sparked intense debate in European universities regarding responsible AI use policies, with institutions oscillating between total bans and curricular integration.

💼 Professional Use: 15.8% of Youth vs. 15.1% of the General Population

Here comes the surprise: at work, the difference between youth and adults almost does not exist (only 0.7%). The reason is obvious: many people in the 16 to 24 age bracket have not even started their careers yet. In our view, this is the "game changer": when this generation fully enters the market, professional AI use is expected to take a massive leap.

Country Ranking: Generative AI Use by Youth (16-24 years old)

The adoption of generative AI among youth varies significantly across EU countries, reflecting differences in digital infrastructure, educational systems, and technological culture:

🏆 Top 10 — Highest Adoption Among Youth

❌ Bottom 3 — Lowest Adoption Among Youth

The case of Greece is jaw-dropping: 83.5% adoption. This means that finding a young person there who doesn't use AI is a rarity. Meanwhile, Estonia surprises no one; as the country has breathed technology for years with its e-Residency system, it was expected they would be at the top with 82.8%.

On the other end, Romania (44.1%) and Italy (47.2%) show rates below 50%, possibly reflecting lower access to digital infrastructure in rural areas and slower adoption of new technologies in educational systems.

Comparison with the General Population (16-74 years old)

When looking at the general population, the EU overview shows that 32.7% of Europeans between 16 and 74 have already used generative AI tools. Complementary Eurostat data reveals that:

• 76.9% of internet users took measures to protect their personal data in 2025
• 53% of European companies used paid cloud services in 2025
• 20% of EU companies already use AI technologies in some capacity

This data, available in the Eurostat digital economy and society section, points to a Europe in rapid digital transformation, where generative AI is consolidating as the technology with the fastest adoption in recent history.

What is Generative AI? Official Eurostat Definition

According to the definition used by Eurostat in its survey:

"A generative artificial intelligence tool can create new content, such as text, images, programming code, videos, or other data, based on available information and patterns it has learned from existing examples. To generate this content, it requires an input or instruction (prompt) from the user, such as questions or instructions."

This definition encompasses tools such as:

• Text Chatbots: ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude, Copilot
• Image Generators: Midjourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion
• Code Assistants: GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Replit AI
• Video Generators: Sora, Runway, Pika
• Audio Tools: ElevenLabs, Suno, Udio

The data refers to the experiences of respondents in the 3 months prior to the survey, conducted throughout 2025 in all EU Member States.

Impact on European Education

With 39.3% of young people using generative AI for formal education, the European educational system faces one of the greatest adaptation challenges of recent decades:

Opportunities

• Personalization of learning: AI as an individual tutor that adapts to each student's pace
• Linguistic accessibility: Translation and explanation of content in multiple languages, crucial for international students
• Democratization of knowledge: Free access to high-quality explanations on any topic
• Professional preparation: Early familiarization with tools that will be essential in the labor market

Risks and Challenges

• Academic integrity: How to evaluate assignments when AI can generate them? European universities have been reviewing their assessment policies
• Critical thinking: Excessive dependence on AI-generated answers may compromise the development of autonomous reasoning
• Digital inequality: Students without access to premium tools may be at a disadvantage
• Disinformation: Generative AI can produce factually incorrect content ("hallucinations"), requiring critical literacy

The publication "Digitalisation in Europe – 2025 edition" from Eurostat provides additional context on how digital transformation is reshaping the European educational landscape.

Implications for the European Labor Market

The fact that professional AI use is practically equal between youth (15.8%) and the general population (15.1%) reveals an imminent turning point:

Current Scenario

• 20% of EU companies already use AI technologies—this number is expected to grow exponentially
• Sectors such as finance, healthcare, marketing, and ICT are the first to integrate AI into work processes
• Demand for professionals with AI skills has grown by more than 300% over the last 3 years on European job platforms

Projections

• As 16-24 year olds enter the labor market with AI fluency, professional adoption is expected to accelerate significantly
• Professions that combine human expertise with AI capabilities (prompt engineering, data curation, AI supervision) are in high demand
• The European minimum wage in 2026 does not yet reflect the salary premium that AI skills provide—AI professionals earn on average 30-60% above the median salary in their countries

Opportunities for Brazilians in Digital Europe

If you are Brazilian and planning your future on European soil, pay attention: these numbers are not just statistics; they represent open doors for those who know how to use technology to their advantage.

Competitive Advantage

• Brazil is one of the largest AI markets in Latin America—Brazilians familiar with these tools arrive in Europe with a real competitive advantage
• Fluency in Portuguese and English, combined with AI skills, is particularly valued in Portugal and Spain
• Sectors such as science and engineering (7.9 million professionals in the EU) are integrating AI rapidly

Access Paths

• European Citizenship: Via Spanish citizenship, Italian citizenship, or Portuguese citizenship for full market access
• AI Startups: The Spanish startup ecosystem and the Lisbon hub are growing centers for AI innovation
• Education: Master's programs in AI at European universities, many with scholarships for international students
• Remote Work: European tech companies are increasingly hiring remote talent with AI skills

Digital Quality of Life

Europe combines high technological adoption with strong data protection regulation (GDPR) and the recent AI Act—the world's first AI regulation. For those planning to live in Europe, access to the healthcare system and housing quality complement the advanced digital environment.