02/12/2014 - A significant study clearly demonstrates that culture and creation are major players in the EU economy, and part of the solution to the crisis

A new study conducted by EY (formerly Ernst & Young) and commissioned by GESAC (European Grouping of Societies of Authors and Composers) reveals that the creative and cultural sectors have shown consistent growth throughout economic hardship and are the third biggest European employer. The study, presented today, 2 December, in Brussels, was backed by 18 partners and supporting organisations, and was the largest of its kind, as it analysed 11 sectors (books, newspapers and magazines, music, performing arts, television, film, radio, games and video games, visual arts, architecture, and advertising). Worth €535.9 billion and 7 million jobs, of which 19.1% are held by under 30-year-olds, culture and creation places itself in the top three employers in Europe, just behind construction and food and beverage service activities.

Moreover, the creative and cultural industries are well established at the heart of the digital economy. The study underlines that on average, 70% of time spent using a tablet is used for consuming cultural goods. In fact, between 2001 and 2011, revenues stemming from the digital market generated over 30 billion additional euros, all sectors combined. This entailed a rise of 109% for recorded music between 2009 and 2013; the development of new services such as e-books; a 12% yearly increase in online revenues for advertising; and success stories for the press like Der Spiegel online (5.6 million monthly unique visitors). The film sector is doing well thanks to new digital technologies and 3D, as is radio, becoming a multi-platform medium, while the backbone of the creative and cultural industries' digital market presence naturally remains the gaming sector.

The European Union can boast a number of international leaders, such as Egmont, Grupo Planeta, La Scala, RTL Group, Nordisk Film, Deezer, Rovio Entertainment, Dorotheum, the BBC World Service, Publicis and Sweco. In fact, seven of the world’s ten biggest publishers are European, as are five out of the ten main festivals worldwide, or two out of three main companies in advertising. These success stories are a reflection of their sectors, relying on the drive and wealth of European creation; a true guarantee for cultural diversity.

Find more information on the Creating Europe website.