ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Culture generates €89.7 billion for Italian economy in 2015

economy-finance · 2026-05-05

Nomisma's research, presented during Arte Fiera at Genus Bononiae in Bologna, reveals that in 2015 culture added €89.7 billion in value (6.1% of GDP) and employed 1.5 million people. Every euro invested in culture returns €5-6. Italy attracted 38.5 million cultural tourists, a 18% increase over five years, representing 36% of total annual tourist flow. Foreign visitors increased museum visits by 23%, more than Italians. In 2016, museums recorded 44.4 million admissions (+4% vs 2015) and revenues over €172 million (+12%). Social media posts about cultural tourism rose: visitor posts up 12% (June-September 2016 vs previous five months), museum-manager posts up 156.5% in 2016. Bologna ranks among Italy's top 10 provinces for value creation with 7.1% of national total.

Key facts

  • Culture added €89.7 billion in value (6.1% of GDP) in 2015
  • 1.5 million people employed by culture in 2015
  • Every euro invested in culture returns €5-6
  • 38.5 million cultural tourists visited Italy in 2015
  • Cultural tourism increased 18% over five years
  • Museum admissions reached 44.4 million in 2016 (+4% vs 2015)
  • Museum revenues exceeded €172 million in 2016 (+12% vs 2015)
  • Social media posts by museum managers increased 156.5% in 2016

Entities

Institutions

  • Federculture
  • Symbola
  • Nomisma
  • Genus Bononiae
  • Arte Fiera
  • Osservatorio sul Mercato e sui Beni Artistici
  • Travel Appeal
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Italy
  • Bologna

Sources