Based on data from over 120 countries, the study emphasizes that if changes in cultural policy do not occur, inequality among content creators will only deepen.
UNESCO's Director-General Khaled El-Anani noted that this report, which has served as an international benchmark for over a decade, offers a "roadmap of more than 8,100 measures" to support cultural practitioners amid rapid technological changes.
Vulnerability of the Growing Industry
Although cultural and creative industries are becoming important drivers of economic growth and sustainable development, their supporting infrastructure remains extremely fragile. According to the report, 85% of countries include culture in their national development strategies, yet only 56% of them set specific goals, highlighting the discrepancy between promises and actual actions.In 2023, global trade in cultural goods doubled, reaching $254 billion, with nearly half of the exports coming from developing countries.
Government funding for culture worldwide remains critically low—less than 0.6% of global GDP—and continues to decline. Challenges also arise from the limited mobility of artists: developed countries support the departure of their creative professionals 96% of the time, while only 38% of countries facilitate the entry of cultural practitioners from developing states.
Digitalization and Economic Instability
The report notes serious structural changes caused by digitalization. The share of digital income among creators has increased from 17% in 2018 to 35% today; however, this has also led to increased income instability and risks of copyright infringement. Particularly concerning is the forecast regarding the impact of generative AI: by 2028, musicians may lose up to 24% of their income, while creators of audiovisual content may lose up to 21%.A significant gap in digital skills remains relevant: basic skills are possessed by 67% of the population in developed countries and only 28% in developing ones. The increasing market concentration around a few major streaming platforms and opaque recommendation algorithms further exacerbate the situation for lesser-known authors. However, only 48% of countries collect relevant statistics, making it difficult to develop effective policies.
Threats to Creative Freedom
UNESCO also notes a rise in threats to artistic expression. Only 61% of countries have independent mechanisms for monitoring violations in this area. Political instability, conflicts, and forced displacements increase risks for cultural workers. New challenges arise from digital surveillance and algorithmic bias.Gender Disbalances
Despite some progress in increasing female representation in leadership positions within cultural institutions—from 31% in 2017 to 46% in 2024—the gap between countries remains significant. In developed nations, women hold 64% of leadership positions, while in developing countries, they hold only 30%.In many countries, women are still primarily perceived as consumers of culture rather than as creators and leaders.Photo on the main page is illustrative: Unsplash/C. Johnson.
