The pursuit of digital skills development has been increasingly in demand, especially in the job market. Areas related to technology, data, design, and even professions that use the digital environment for sales or promotion of products and services – such as social media – already have a strong presence within companies.
However, to become a professional capable of securing these positions, qualification is the first step toward finding good opportunities. And Brazilians have been seeking to improve their skills in these areas, as revealed by a study conducted by DataCamp, an online learning platform for technology, data, and artificial intelligence, which shows the most sought-after courses in 2024 focused on digital skills development.
Below, you can check out the ranking of the fifteen most in-demand courses in technology, data, design, and digital communication:
Technology
In technology, there is a strong demand for foundational knowledge in the field, such as computer science and information technology courses, which are directly linked to the production, storage, transmission, access, and security of information. Another area of interest is programming, evidenced by searches for system analysis and development courses, as well as interest in specific programming languages like Power BI and Python.
Data
The data field has grown significantly in recent years, with a spotlight in 2024. Additionally, many professions related to data analysis and usage appear promising for 2025. Among the most sought-after courses, those in computer science, information systems, and data science demonstrate the growing interest of Brazilians in these areas, which not only offer promising opportunities but also attractive salaries.
Design, marketing, and social media
Still within digital skills development but now more connected to communication fields, digital marketing and social media courses are gaining increasing traction, especially at a time when social media serves as an income source for many—from bloggers to small business owners who rely on these platforms to generate revenue. Meanwhile, the more traditional course in graphic design remains highly sought after by Brazilians, ranking third in the list. These fields tend to attract individuals who enjoy combining technical knowledge with creativity.
AI and general knowledge
Some skills are closely tied to the digital world but can be applied across various market segments. This is the case for Excel, the Office suite, and, more recently, artificial intelligence. These tools can be used at both basic and advanced levels, making them ubiquitous in the daily routines of many professions.
With the emergence of artificial intelligence and its established use in part of the population’s routine, learning tools like ChatGPT has proven strategic for professionals across all fields and positions, as it serves as a facilitator for task execution. As AI becomes increasingly present in daily life, beyond learning its functions to assist with tasks, more job opportunities are opening for those who specialize in using these tools.
According to Martijn Theuwissen, COO of DataCamp, in the digital realm—especially after the accelerated advancements seen with artificial intelligence—it will become increasingly rare for someone not to need regular upskilling, taking new courses almost annually. ‘The market is already demanding diverse skills and quick adaptations, making courses—those truly applicable in daily work—essential for those who want to stand out and remain professionally relevant,’ he says. 
Methodology
To identify the most sought-after courses for digital skills in 2024, DataCamp investigated terms commonly used by Brazilians in their searches, such as: ‘curso’ (course), ‘curso de’ (course in), ‘aprender’ (learn), and ‘aprendizado em’ (learning in). Data was collected from internet platforms like Google, Bing, YouTube, TikTok, X, and Pinterest. The available data from the past year—corresponding to the period from November 2023 to October 2024—was analyzed. To create the ranking, the top fifteen courses with the highest search volume over the last twelve months were selected.
