World of Open Source: Open Source Maturity in Europe
Milestones, Opportunities and Pathways in 2024
Abstract
Open source software (OSS) is at a critical juncture in Europe, offering significant potential to drive digital innovation, enhance security, and promote digital autonomy. The new Linux Foundation Research report, Open Source Maturity in Europe: Milestones, Opportunities, and Pathways in 2024, focuses on European data gathered in its annual World of Open Source survey as well as in-depth interviews with industry experts, policymakers, and community leaders to examine the current role of open source software in Europe and uncover the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. It’s full of important insights that reflect a flourishing open source ecosystem in Europe that is not without its challenges.
For the past three years, LF Research has conducted a study on the adoption, opportunities, and perceptions of open source across Europe. The trend is clear in 2024: the perceived value of open source continues to increase in the region, and stakeholders across sectors and industries can see the importance of investing in it. This year’s report identifies key sectors to channel this investment, the opportunity for the public sector to embrace open source for digital public goods, and how regulations are interacting with and responding to more widespread open source adoption and knowledge. With insights taken from the 2024 World of Open Source survey and augmented by interviews with over a dozen experts working in open source, this report unpacks the current state of open source in Europe and highlights next steps to improve adoption, understanding, and regulation for open source as this technological space continues to mature. Read the report for the full investigation into why open source has hit a watershed moment in Europe.
