Deloitte's comprehensive report, The Future of the Creative Economy, explores the growing impact of the creative industries on global economies. Covering nine major economies including Turkey, Germany, the UK, Japan, and South Korea, the study highlights that nearly 20 million people were employed in the creative economy as of 2018 — making up approximately 7% of total employment in these countries. According to the report, the creative economy plays a critical role not only in economic growth but also in addressing social and cultural needs. As economies recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, creative industries are expected to return to strong growth, driven by increasing consumer demand for creative goods and services. By 2030, employment in the creative economy is projected to rise by over 40%, adding more than 8 million jobs across the studied countries. From design and architecture to film, gaming, and publishing, the creative economy is shaping the future of work, culture, and innovation. The report underlines the importance of public policies, investment, and cross-sector collaborations to ensure sustainable growth and global competitiveness in this vital sector.

Developed through a partnership between 2010 Legacies Now and the Creative City Network of Canada, the Cultural Planning Toolkit provides a comprehensive guide to help communities strategically integrate culture into local planning processes. This toolkit supports local governments, community leaders, and organizations in recognizing cultural resources as vital assets that can contribute to economic growth, social inclusion, and community identity. Cultural planning goes beyond supporting the arts—it aims to create vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities by linking culture with broader civic goals such as education, health, urban development, and tourism. With its step-by-step roadmap, from preparation and community engagement to implementation and evaluation, the toolkit offers practical methods and resources for cities aiming to build strong partnerships and lasting cultural impact. By focusing on collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, the Cultural Planning Toolkit inspires communities to unlock the full potential of culture as a driver of positive change.

Led by Sir Peter Bazalgette, this independent review highlights the vital role of the creative industries in driving the UK’s economic growth, global competitiveness, and innovation. Covering sectors such as design, software, music, visual arts, and publishing, the report emphasizes the need to invest in creative clusters, support R&D activities, strengthen intellectual property strategies, and develop talent pipelines to secure sustainable growth. With a focus on regional development, innovation, and internationalization, the review presents actionable recommendations for both government and industry, aiming to unlock the full potential of the creative economy and ensure its long-term global leadership.

Prepared by the British Council, this comprehensive report explores the rapid growth and transformation of the global creative economy. It highlights how creative industries—ranging from design, film, music, and publishing to innovative technology and digital services—are becoming essential drivers of economic development, cultural identity, and social change worldwide. The report examines key trends such as new business models, the role of intellectual property, the rise of creative clusters, and the urgent need for creative education and skills development. With case studies from Brazil, Estonia, and India, it provides insights into how local creativity fuels global impact, and how the fusion of culture, technology, and entrepreneurship is shaping a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economy for the future.

Developed by the British Council in collaboration with creative leaders, the Creative HubKit is a practical guide designed to support the development, sustainability, and growth of creative hubs worldwide. Hubs—whether physical spaces, online platforms, or mobile networks—act as vital meeting points for creatives, entrepreneurs, and communities to collaborate, innovate, and drive local economies. This toolkit shares insights on defining a hub's vision, building strong networks, designing relevant services, and ensuring long-term sustainability. With global case studies and expert advice, the Creative HubKit helps emerging hubs establish solid foundations, foster partnerships, and scale their impact while centering the needs of their communities. It’s an essential resource for anyone looking to build, manage, or support creative spaces that generate social, cultural, and economic value.

Published by the British Council and authored by BOP Consulting, Mapping the Creative Industries: A Toolkit serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding and evaluating the creative industries within local, national, and global economies. It provides a practical seven-step methodology for conducting successful mapping exercises, aiming to highlight the economic and cultural value of creative sectors. The toolkit explains why mapping is essential—not only to raise awareness and influence policy but also to support growth, innovation, and urban regeneration. By offering insights on defining creative industries, setting research approaches, and engaging stakeholders, it helps policymakers, researchers, and practitioners unlock the potential of creative economies. Originally developed through the UK’s experience, the toolkit has inspired mapping practices worldwide, contributing to global knowledge on creative economies as drivers of sustainable development and cultural identity.

The Creative Hubs Report 2016 provides an in-depth analysis of the role and value of creative hubs within the growing creative economy. Creative hubs are dynamic spaces—physical or virtual—where creative professionals, freelancers, and micro-enterprises come together to collaborate, innovate, and grow. These hubs serve as vital community connectors, supporting cultural production, talent development, and local economic regeneration. The report highlights that successful creative hubs go beyond providing shared workspaces. They cultivate trust-based networks, foster multidisciplinary projects, and deliver wide-ranging impacts—from new business ventures and job creation to urban revitalization and enhanced quality of life. Drawing from extensive UK case studies, the research offers insights and tools to support creative hubs globally, emphasizing that each hub should be shaped by its local context, values, and community needs.

The Design Economy report explores the remarkable impact of design on the UK's economy, society, and global competitiveness. Beyond aesthetics, design is positioned as a strategic force that drives productivity, innovation, and growth across industries. According to the report, the design economy contributed £71.7 billion in GVA to the UK in 2013, supporting 1.6 million jobs and accounting for 7.3% of total exports. While London remains a key hub, the report emphasizes the growing importance of regional design clusters and highlights the urgent need to foster inclusivity, particularly in increasing gender diversity within the sector. With a focus on expanding design’s role in underrepresented industries and ensuring the UK maintains its global leadership, The Design Economy makes a compelling case for investing in design as a catalyst for sustainable development and economic resilience.

The Design Skills Report explores the evolving skills landscape within the design economy and highlights the growing demand for design talent across industries. As design becomes increasingly integrated into sectors such as technology, manufacturing, and services, the need for a diverse set of skills—including creativity, digital proficiency, problem-solving, and collaboration—continues to rise. The report emphasizes the importance of investing in design education, fostering lifelong learning, and ensuring greater inclusivity within the field. By strengthening the pipeline of future design professionals and equipping them with the skills needed to adapt and innovate, the design economy can continue to drive sustainable growth, social impact, and global competitiveness.

The OECD has launched a groundbreaking project to better understand the innovation and productivity potential of Cultural and Creative Sectors (CCS) and their positive spillover effects across the wider economy. With CCS contributing significantly to job creation, entrepreneurship, and international trade, this project focuses on capturing their value through better data, policy recommendations, and international benchmarks. Through deep-dives into CCS innovation, productivity, and cross-sector collaborations, the project aims to highlight the crucial role of creative industries in driving economic growth, fostering resilience, and advancing social and technological innovation. By supporting evidence-based policies, capacity building, and peer learning, the initiative empowers countries, cities, and sectors to fully leverage CCS as a driver of sustainable and inclusive development.

Prepared by OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), The Culture Fix highlights the vital role of cultural and creative sectors (CCS) in fostering economic growth, innovation, and social well-being. Representing up to 7% of businesses and contributing 2.2% of total economic value across OECD countries, CCS generate millions of jobs, support entrepreneurship, and drive innovation across industries. Beyond their economic impact, cultural and creative sectors play a key role in strengthening social inclusion, enhancing quality of life, and revitalizing local communities through cultural participation and place-making. However, CCS also face persistent challenges such as precarious employment, funding gaps, and unequal recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The report calls for targeted policies, increased investment, and stronger cross-sector collaboration to unlock the full potential of culture as a driver of sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth.

Prepared by Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC), this report examines the critical challenges creative businesses in the UK face when accessing the finance needed to grow and scale. Despite the creative industries’ contribution to innovation and economic growth, many businesses—particularly outside of London—struggle with investment gaps and limited funding opportunities. The report highlights the need for tailored financial solutions, stronger regional support, and improved investor understanding of the creative sector’s unique value. By developing new funding models and supporting investment readiness, the creative industries can unlock their full potential and continue driving sustainable economic growth and cultural impact.

Prepared by Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC), this report explores how creative clusters in the UK can grow in a way that is both sustainable and inclusive. While creative industries play a vital role in regional development and innovation, ensuring equal access to opportunities for underrepresented communities remains a challenge. Through case studies like the Yorkshire Screen Cluster, the report highlights the importance of embedding diversity, equality, and inclusion into the heart of creative cluster strategies. By fostering local collaboration, improving access to skills and jobs, and sharing best practices, creative clusters can deliver long-term, inclusive growth that benefits both people and places.

Prepared by Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (Creative PEC) in collaboration with researchers from the University of Sheffield, this report explores the need for advanced and regionally detailed economic statistics on the UK’s creative industries (CIs), which contributed £124.6 billion to the UK economy in 2022. While creative sectors play a growing role in boosting innovation and regional development, current national statistics lack the depth to reflect regional differences and interconnections. To address this, the report proposes the development of Multi-Regional Creative Industries Satellite Accounts (MR-CISA). These accounts would provide detailed insights into the economic contribution, supply chains, and regional spillover effects of the CIs. MR-CISA would help policymakers assess the local and national impact of investments, better understand income flows between regions, and support informed decision-making for regional growth and resilience. The report reviews international examples, identifies required data sources, and outlines next steps, including the creation of regional creative accounts and improved data collection through targeted surveys. By advancing MR-CISA, the UK can enhance its ability to support creative clusters, evaluate policy impacts, and prepare for future economic challenges in the sector.

Prepared by Nesta in collaboration with the British Council, the Creative Enterprise Toolkit is designed to support creative entrepreneurs in turning their ideas into sustainable businesses. Providing practical tools and guidance, the toolkit helps creatives shape their business model, identify their audience, and build long-term financial strategies. By offering step-by-step methods tailored to the needs of creative sectors, the toolkit empowers individuals to transform creative ideas into successful enterprises, contributing to the growth of the creative economy.

Prepared by the UK Government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Creative Industries Council (CIC), the Creative Industries Sector Vision sets out a long-term plan to support the growth of the UK's creative industries by 2030. The vision focuses on driving innovation, supporting talent, and strengthening the global competitiveness of the sector. With a goal to grow the creative industries by an additional £50 billion and create one million extra jobs by 2030, the report highlights key priorities such as boosting creative skills, expanding access to finance, fostering regional creative clusters, and investing in research and development. By placing creativity at the heart of the UK’s future economy, the vision aims to build a resilient, inclusive, and world-leading creative sector.

Prepared by Dr. Gaetano Dimita, published by WIPO, November 2023. The report explores the complex relationship between video games and intellectual property (IP), highlighting how video games combine various creative elements such as software, music, design, narrative, and visual art. It provides an overview of the global video game industry, emphasizing its economic and cultural impact, and explains how different areas of IP law—including copyright, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets—apply throughout the life cycle of a game. The report also discusses emerging trends like user-generated content, live streaming, and esports, underlining the need for flexible legal frameworks to support innovation while protecting rights holders.

Prepared by BOP Consulting for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), this report offers practical guidance on how creative professionals can generate income from their work through effective use of intellectual property (IP). Focusing on sectors like music, film, publishing, and gaming, it explains how rights such as copyright, trademarks, and design protection support sustainable creative careers. By highlighting key strategies for protecting, licensing, and monetizing creative content, the report emphasizes the importance of IP in ensuring that creative individuals and businesses can thrive in a rapidly changing, digital-first global economy.

This report was prepared by the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) Working Group of Member States’ Experts, coordinated by the European Commission. The report focuses on the role of public policies in unlocking the entrepreneurial and innovation potential of the cultural and creative sectors (CCS) in Europe. Highlighting the CCS as key drivers of social well-being, economic growth, and cross-sectoral innovation, the report offers policy recommendations to better support these sectors. It emphasizes the need for integrated strategies, tailored support for micro-enterprises, and stronger collaboration between stakeholders to maximize the impact of culture and creativity on society and the economy.

This publication was prepared by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, under the Creative Europe Programme (2021–2027). The Creative Europe Programme (2021–2027) aims to support Europe's cultural and creative sectors by fostering cross-border cooperation, promoting cultural diversity, and increasing the competitiveness and resilience of the sectors. With a 50% larger budget compared to the previous period, the programme focuses on adapting to digital transformation, environmental sustainability, and inclusion. It is structured under three main strands: Culture, Media, and Cross-Sectoral, each addressing specific needs from artist mobility to audiovisual content development, while also supporting innovation, media freedom, and European cultural heritage.