BERLIN.- Germany's museums are far more than cultural institutions; they are significant economic drivers, according to a groundbreaking new study released by the Institute for Museum Research. For the first time, this comprehensive report quantifies the substantial economic impact of the country's extensive museum landscape, revealing that public investment in these cultural hubs generates nearly double its value.


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The study found that for every euro invested by the public sector in museums, an impressive €1.70 in added value is generated. When accounting for tourist spending sparked by museum visits, that figure jumps even higher, leading to an additional €2.40 in economic value.


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The Numbers Behind the Culture

The representative study, which meticulously tracked economic effects across the nation's museums for the 2023 fiscal year, highlighted several key findings:

• Billions in Contribution: Germany's nearly 7,000 museums collectively contributed €9.4 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023. This significant figure was achieved against public subsidies totaling around €5.6 billion.

• Job Creation: Museums directly and indirectly generated approximately 106,000 permanent jobs (full-time equivalents) in 2023 through their economic activities. When factoring in the broader tourism impact spurred by museum visits, this number surged to around 180,000 jobs.

• Fiscal Returns: The economic activities of museums generated €3.7 billion in fiscal contributions (taxes and social security contributions) in 2023. Notably, two-thirds (66%) of the public funds invested in museums flowed back to the public sector through these fiscal effects.

• Tourism Catalyst: With an estimated 167 million museum visits in 2023, the study underscored the substantial impact of tourist spending. For every public euro invested, visitors' related expenses—including services, accommodations, and transportation—generated an additional €2.40 in value creation, amounting to €5.7 billion in fiscal returns from tourism alone, roughly matching the total public investment.

A Holistic View of Museum Value

Professor Dr. Patricia Rahemipour, Director of the Institute for Museum Research, emphasized that these economic findings provide a crucial new dimension to discussions about museums' societal relevance.

"The debate about the societal relevance and effectiveness of museums must be conducted holistically, considering both socio-cultural and economic factors," said Rahemipour. "Museums, as cultural custodians and educational institutions, convey societal values and strengthen democracy. Simultaneously, they are economically relevant and a vital factor for tourism and local quality of life."

She noted that the study’s results empower museums to present a compelling case to their sponsors and stakeholders, highlighting not just their direct operations but also their far-reaching effects on employment, service providers, and tourism.

"The added value generated by museums is almost double the public subsidies," Rahemipour added. "Precisely because these findings are so convincing, we should always understand the economic perspective only as a complementary addition to what we already know about the societal, cultural, and individual value of museums."