Key role of cultural and creative industries in the economy

As culture and creativity become an increasing driving force in the international marketplace, it is essential to measure their impact not only on the economy but also on society at large. UNESCO has always been at the forefront of addressing the dual cultural and economic nature of cultural goods and services, working on both the theory and the practice. The Organization’s Institute of Statistics (UIS) is currently seeking to redefine international data collection standards for the culture and creative sector so that they take into account the needs and specificities of the developing world. Providing an overview of the main approaches to assessing the economic and social importance of culture, this paper highlights the numerous limitations in current statistical information. It also includes a series of proposals based on the pragmatic approach currently being developed at UIS.