This report shows that Canada’s arts and culture sector contributed $65 billion in direct
GDP to the Canadian economy in 2024. The sector grew faster and supported more
jobs per dollar than other key sectors like oil and gas, manufacturing or agriculture.
Research done to produce the report demonstrates that Canada’s creative industries
contribute not only to social cohesion, community and Canadians’ sense of meaning
and purpose. These industries also drive measurable economic growth and regional
development. Other findings include:
– Since 2022, GDP stemming from the arts and culture sector has grown almost
8%, outpacing Canada’s overall economic growth of 4%.
– Canadian international trade in cultural goods and services reached an all-time
high in 2022, with $25 billion sold to foreign customers.
– Cultural exports have doubled since 2011, with top categories including visual
and applied arts, audiovisual and interactive media, and written and published
works.
– Economic impact of the sector is highest in Ontario, Quebec and British
Columbia, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and over $100 billion in
GDP.
– The sector generates an estimated $17 billion in federal and provincial tax
revenue.
Published By: Business Data Lab, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Publication Date: October, 2025
Click here to access Artworks: The Economic and Social Dividends from Canada’s Arts
and Culture Sector
