Digital Revolution in Ecuador: How Postgraduate Education Drives Advanced Use of ICT

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of educational level on the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) among Ecuadorians aged 25 to 64. Using a comparative analysis of data from the 2023 National Employment, Unemployment, and Underemployment Survey (ENEMDU), two groups were analyzed: those with higher education and those with postgraduate education. Contingency tables and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) identified ICT usage patterns. Results showed that individuals with postgraduate education possess and use advanced mobile devices, social networks, email, and video conferencing more frequently than those with higher education. Furthermore, internet usage at work and IT activities such as copying and moving files, sending emails with attachments, and using arithmetic formulas were significantly higher in the postgraduate group. These findings highlight the importance of advanced education in digital adoption and competence, underscoring the need for educational policies that promote digital inclusion and technological competitiveness in Ecuador.