Cultural Spending in Turkey Sees 84% Surge in 2023
Cultural expenditures in Turkey experienced a significant surge of 84.7 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching over 276 billion Turkish Liras ($7.9 billion). Approximately 64 percent of this spending was carried out by the state, according to official figures.
State Allocation and Contribution Breakdown
Nearly 68 percent of the state's cultural expenditures originated from the central government budget, as reported by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) in their cultural economy report released on December 2.
Architectural Projects Lead State Allocations
The majority of state funding in the cultural sector was allocated to architectural endeavors, highlighting the significance of architectural projects in Turkey's cultural landscape.
Cultural Spending as Percentage of GDP and Private Sector Contributions
Cultural spending made up 1 percent of Turkey's GDP in 2023. Among private sector contributions, publishing enterprises took the lead, responsible for the production and distribution of various media.
Diverse Contributions to the Cultural Economy
Aside from publishing, ventures engaged in the production of films, television programs, sound recordings, music publishing, and jewelry crafting played vital roles in Turkey's cultural economy.
Growth in Cultural Employment
TÜİK revealed that cultural employment, covering a wide range of activities from museums to film production, grew by 9 percent in 2023, employing around 743,000 individuals.
Demographics of Cultural Workers
The majority of individuals employed in cultural sectors were between the ages of 30 and 54, reflecting a diverse age range in the cultural workforce.
Distribution of Employment by Cultural Activity
Professionals in architecture and specialized design accounted for 11.1 percent of total cultural employment, while those in creative arts, performing arts, and entertainment activities represented 5.6 percent. Workers in programming, broadcasting, and news agencies constituted 4.3 percent of cultural employment.
Government Support for Archaeological Excavations
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced an allocation of 6 billion liras for archaeological excavations nationwide, emphasizing the government's commitment to preserving Turkey's rich cultural heritage.
Legacy for the Future Project
The Legacy for the Future project, initiated by the ministry, aims to enhance support for archaeological endeavors, accelerate their progress, and extend excavation activities throughout the year, leading to significant archaeological discoveries.
Significant Progress in Archaeological Discoveries
Over 2,000 specialists and more than 3,000 personnel contributed to the discovery of over 4,000 archaeological artifacts in 2024 as part of the Legacy for the Future project, demonstrating the project's success in advancing archaeological research in Turkey.
