Study on the economy of culture in Europe (2006)

Culture contributes to 2,6 % of EU´s GDP and employs about 6 mio people. Whereas total employment in the EU decreased in 2002-2004, employment in the cultural sector increased by 1,85 % in the same period. The turn-over was more than € 654 billion in 2003.

Date: November 2006
Recipients: European Commission, DG education and culture
Subject: The point of the study is to allow the European Commission to better understand how the cultural sector can contribute to achieving the Lisbon strategy targets. The study highlights the economic importance of the cultural sector in Europe and its contribution to economic growth and social cohesion (Lisbon objectives), as well as its peculiar features and difficulties by comparison with the other sectors of economic activity. In detail it gives an overview of the cultural sector in Europe from the socio-economic standpoint, setting out its strengths and weaknesses. With assistance of relevant statistical data and case studies the development prospects of the cultural sector in Europe against the background of global trends is shown.
The study covers the 25 Member states of the European Union, along with Bulgaria, Romania, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.