Nation's creative sector remains a significant catalyst for inventiveness and economic expansion

In a press release dated August 21, 2025, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg announced the latest findings on the culture and creative economy in the region. The study, titled "Location Study 'Culture and Creative Economy in Baden-Württemberg'", is produced annually on behalf of the ministry and the MFG Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg.

Despite a brief growth in 2022, the press market in Baden-Württemberg has been experiencing a long-term negative trend. The decline in 2023 was significant, with a drop in turnover of over 10% to around €3.5 billion. Newspaper publishing and magazine publishing were particularly affected, with the latter seeing a turnover decline of around €525 million.

However, the culture and creative economy in Baden-Württemberg continues to thrive. In 2023, it generated a total turnover of around 30.5 billion euros, employing a workforce larger than the pharmaceutical industry, energy supply, and the chemical industry combined. The economy consists of 28,229 companies, representing all types of regions in Baden-Württemberg.

The software/games industry was the most revenue-generating sub-market in 2023, with around €16.6 billion and a growth rate of 12% compared to the previous year. This industry plays a crucial role in the transformation and digitalization process for all industries.

The culture and creative economy in Baden-Württemberg has a diverse geographical distribution. In 2024, the share of employees in relation to the population was highest in the university city of Ulm, at 7 percent. However, the economy experienced a slight decrease in employment that year, by around 1.2 percent to 192,000 employees.

The institute that produced the study is not explicitly named in the available search results. However, among relevant economic research institutes mentioned, the most likely candidate for such a study, given the context, is the Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW), known for independent, solution-oriented economic research in Germany.

The press office and citizen representative of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor and Tourism are available for further information and inquiries. The topics covered in the press release include funding, economy, start-ups, digitalization, artificial intelligence, rural areas, and culture.

Nation's creative sector remains a significant catalyst for inventiveness and economic expansion