On October 20, the National Institute of Statistics (INE) introduced the second edition of the Culture Sub-Account, for the 2018-2020 triennium. Sub-accounts are statistical aggregates developed from national accounts and intended to allow a better understanding of a particular field of activity. Statistics, a science that has developed over the past few centuries, has become an important element for shaping and evaluating public policies as well as for the functioning of private entities and for the clarification of citizens. Statistics, as an activity of the state (where the term takes its origin) means decisions, that is, about what is needed, what is sought. The question about the quantification of the field of culture and the presence of systematic data prepared by the national statistical body became effective only in 2015, the year when the first sub-calculation of culture (CSC) was introduced for the period 2010-2012. This was made possible by my initiative, as a member of the Government responsible for culture, in 2013, with the National Institute of Statistics, to include culture in the priority agenda. This was possible because the INE decided to go ahead with the task. At that time, INE was immersed in many very challenging missions. But the team led by Alda Carvalho realized the importance of providing reliable data in this area. A working group was formed for this purpose, which was expressed with culture services in defining parameters and organizing data. I personally followed the process. The first data organized in the form of a sub-account was presented to the public in July 2015, and allowed a first reading of the sector, in terms of qualifications, employability, wages, areas of activity, household consumption and economic weight, in particular.
In the meantime, statistical standards have evolved, specifically within the framework of their harmonization in the European Union. This coordination is necessary to allow the possibility of comparison and understanding of the relative position of each country, and to improve European policies from the perspective of the European Union’s convergence of development, opportunities and resource distribution.
Thus, the results of the second CSC cannot be directly compared with the results of 2015, since some parameters have changed. For example, a significant increase in workers in the field of culture does not correspond to an increase in the direct ratio, but mainly with an expansion of the range of products and activities included in the CSC as described by Eurostat, the statistical authority of the European Union.
When the next version of the sub-account is prepared and presented, new prospects are likely to remain, as the set of standards measuring the cultural and creative sector (CCS) is under review by the European Union. I had the opportunity to follow the process as a member of its advisory board.
Finally, analyzing the data presented now, what do we know about the period 2018-20?
Quoting the National Institute of Statistics, cultural activities account for about 2.37% of the total value added (GVA). The COVID-19 pandemic has had a greater impact on culture than on the average national economy. In 2018, culture generated a total of 4.2 billion euros and covered about 133.6 thousand jobs, representing 2.8% of total employment. In 2018, the field most represented in terms of cultural units was the performing arts (31.1%). Audiovisual, multimedia and multidisciplinary aids stood out for their relative importance in GVA structure (24.8%) and recruitment (22.5%), respectively. Diffusion/marketing was the most represented function in the distribution of cultural units (36.2%) and VAB (34.1%), while production/publication took precedence in the cultural staffing structure (33.5%). Among the six EU countries with available and up-to-date information, Portugal appears with the lowest relative weight of culture in the national total value added.
In other words, culture is a very important sector of activity in the national economy, both in terms of employment, wealth creation and supply, but in relative terms there is much more to do. In fact, we are talking about a sector where the growth opportunities are real. It is hoped that the data that has now been disclosed will help the state, companies and civil society to promote its relevance more effectively.
Andrea Hargraves is a contributor to Brytfmonline.com, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is committed to delivering clear, accurate, and reader-focused reporting that helps audiences stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Andrea’s work emphasizes useful information, balanced coverage, and stories that matter to everyday readers, making complex topics accessible and relevant to a wide audience.