UK Cultural Sector Revenue Grows Despite Brexit Uncertainty

The UK's cultural sector contributed £27 billion to the economy in 2015, up a third from five years earlier, according to data from The Stage. The sector now accounts for 1.6% of the country's economy, growing 15% between 2014 and 2015—the fastest growth of any sector monitored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Tourism grew only 3.3%, while sport declined 1.5%. International cultural exports rose from £27.6 billion in 2013 to £31 billion in 2014, representing 2.5% of total UK exports. The data predates the 2016 Brexit referendum, so it does not reflect post-referendum reactions. The report covers broad cultural activities including theatre and visual arts.