Culture in Czechia Continues to Grow: Revenues Reach CZK 320 Billion

Creative Industries Generate More Than Half of All Revenues

The largest share of revenues was generated by the creative industries, which includes fields such as advertising, architecture and design. Together, these activities accounted for 51% of all revenues from own activities. The audiovisual and media industries—covering film, television, radio, publishing, print media and the gaming industry—contributed approximately one-third of total revenues. The remaining 15% came from traditional cultural and artistic fields, including performing arts and cultural heritage.

Total Income Continues to Increase While the Share of Public Subsidies Declines Slightly

Total income generated by organisations operating in the cultural and creative sectors reached CZK 380 billion in 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of almost 10%. The share of public operating and investment subsidies declined slightly, from 10.3% in 2023 to 9.3% in 2024. In absolute terms, however, public support remained unchanged at CZK 32 billion. The sector's self-financing rate—measured as the share of revenues from own activities in total income—stood at 84%. This figure was considerably lower in cultural heritage (47%) and performing arts (38%), both of which continue to rely significantly on public funding.

Public Funding: Municipalities Play the Key Role

Public expenditure on culture totalled CZK 55 billion in 2024. Funding for culture in Czechia remains highly decentralised. According to the Czech Cultural Institute, municipalities provide the largest share of public cultural funding (48%), followed by regional authorities (26%) and the state budget (22%). This financing model helps ensure access to cultural services throughout the country, from theatre performances and heritage conservation to the presentation of contemporary art and culture.

Employment and Wages Continue to Recover

Following the decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, employment in the cultural and creative sectors have continued to recover. In 2024, approximately 87,000 people worked in cultural occupations—around 7,000 more than in 2020. According to the Czech Statistical Office, the average gross monthly salary in the cultural sector reached CZK 40,602, equivalent to 88% of the national average wage. This represents a decline relative to the national average compared with 2020, when wages in the cultural and creative sectors amounted to 96% of the national average. Employees in culture account for 2.2% of total employment in Czechia, with approximately 40% working in cultural heritage and the performing arts.

Strong Growth Accompanied by Structural Challenges

The 2024 data confirm that culture and the creative industries represent a significant and expanding part of the Czech economy. At the same time, they highlight persistent structural differences between individual subsectors, particularly regarding their dependence on public funding and the remuneration of employees. The cultural and creative sectors therefore face the challenge of maintaining its growth momentum while strengthening the economic resilience of more vulnerable areas and preserving broad public access to cultural services.

Expenditure on culture

In 2024, total expenditure of entities whose principal activity is in culture amounted to CZK 375.7 billion. The largest share of expenditure was recorded in the creative sector (43%), followed by the audiovisual and media sector (33%) and the traditional and arts sector (23%). The remaining share (1%) was attributable to entities engaged in the administration and support of cultural activities. Total revenues of entities whose principal activity is in culture reached CZK 379.7 billion. The majority of revenues consisted of sales of own goods and services (84%), while subsidies accounted for 9.5% and other revenues for 6.5%. These shares vary significantly across individual cultural sectors.

The data are based on the Satellite Account of Culture, which is compiled in cooperation between the Czech Statistical Offoice and the Czech Cultural Institute, in accordance with a resolution of the Government of the Czech Republic.