Turkey’s Statistical Institute recently released its data on the cultural economy and employment for 2023. The report highlighted a significant surge in cultural expenditures, underlining the sector’s growing importance in the country’s economy.


Record-Breaking Cultural Spending
Cultural expenditures in Turkey rose by 84.7% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 276 billion 338 million 253 thousand Turkish lira. These expenditures accounted for 1% of Turkey’s gross domestic product (GDP).
The public sector played a significant role, with general government spending comprising 64.3% of total cultural expenditures. These public cultural expenses increased by 98.1% year-on-year to 177 billion 594 million 791 thousand lira, with 67.9% funded by the central government budget. Notably, architecture received the largest share of these funds, accounting for 24.4%.

Household Spending on Culture
Household expenditures also reflected strong support for cultural consumption. Among these expenses, data processing equipment led with a 22% share, followed by televisions and related equipment at 21%, and books at 15%.

Growth in Cultural Sectors
Businesses in cultural industries saw a 94% increase in their value added at factor cost, reaching 108 billion 214 million 593 thousand lira. The largest contributors to this growth included:
  • Printed and replicated media: 22.2% of value-added,
  • Film, video, and music production: 13%,
  • Jewellery and related crafts: 12.1%.

Rising Exports and Imports of Cultural Goods
Turkey’s exports of cultural goods rose by 47.7% in 2023, totalling 263 billion 740 million 463 thousand lira, while imports grew by 87.5% to 149 billion 553 million 210 thousand lira. Cultural goods accounted for 4.3% of total exports and 1.8% of total imports.

Increasing Cultural Employment
Cultural employment rose by 9%, reaching 743,000 workers in 2023. Most workers (60.8%) were aged 30-54, with younger individuals aged 15-29 constituting 28.8%.
The majority (89.3%) were employed in cultural occupations such as:
  • Craft workers: 38.5%,
  • Architects and designers: 18.7%,
  • Artists and performers: 9.9%,
  • Writers and journalists: 9.3%.
Significant employment was seen in architecture and design activities (11.1%), performing and creative arts (5.6%), and media programming and publishing (4.3%).

 

This surge in cultural spending and employment highlights Türkiye’s commitment to fostering its cultural economy, a critical driver for innovation and social development.

Source: Turkey Statistical Institute (TurkStat), 2023 Cultural Economy and Employment Report.