Trends in government spending on culture between 2008-09 and 2023-24
National and provincial analysis
Today’s post investigates trends in government spending on culture between 2008-09 and 2023-24, including national and provincial data over this timeframe. Has spending on culture kept pace with inflation and population growth? With government spending on other things? What about government spending in each province and territory?
In the dataset, there are two categories that fall squarely within a typical statistical definition of culture: broadcasting and publishing services; and culture, excluding broadcasting and publishing. These two categories are combined in today’s analysis, for an analysis of total government spending on the arts, culture, and heritage. The focus is on data that I have adjusted for both inflation and population growth (sometimes called “real, per capita changes”).
The data source and important notes are included at the end of this post.