EU cultural sector employed 8.9 million people in 2025, Eurostat reports

The European Union's cultural sector employed 8.9 million people in 2025, accounting for 4.3% of total employment across the bloc, according to new data released by Eurostat.The figures highlight the continued role of the cultural and creative industries as a significant source of employment across the EU, with nearly one in every 23 workers employed in occupations linked to culture.Eurostat's latest data shows that the workforce is concentrated among mid-career professionals, with 48.5% of cultural workers aged between 30 and 49 years. The sector also maintains near gender parity, with women accounting for 49.6% of those employed and men representing 50.4%.The report also points to a highly educated workforce. Nearly 62% (61.9%) of people employed in the cultural sector held tertiary qualifications, considerably higher than the broader labour market.