Saudi culture sector to triple GDP share to $48bn by 2030, says minister

Cultural event attendance exceeded 23.5 million between 2021 and 2024, and major festivals such as the Red Sea Film Festival and Islamic Arts Biennale have become global draws. AFP
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JEDDAH: 萝莉视频 plans to raise the cultural sector鈥檚 contribution to gross domestic product to 3 percent 鈥� or SR180 billion ($48 billion) 鈥� by 2030, up from under 1 percent, according to Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan.

In an interview with Al-Eqtisadiah, the minister said the sector has already surpassed its previous 0.91 percent GDP share, with Vision 2030 targets being met ahead of schedule.

鈥淰ision 2030 forms the foundation of the Ministry of Culture鈥檚 strategy and direction,鈥� he said. 

鈥淏y 2030, we envision a cultural environment that nurtures talent, encourages innovation both locally and internationally, and supports the flourishing of creative and cultural enterprises.鈥� Prince Badr said in the interview. 

鈥淯ltimately, our goal is to increase the sector鈥檚 contribution to GDP to 3 percent, equivalent to SR180 billion,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his represents the core mission of the Ministry of Culture and its affiliated bodies in driving an ambitious cultural transformation.鈥�

Since the ministry鈥檚 founding in 2018, employment in the sector has jumped 318 percent, while the number of cultural graduates reached 28,800 in 2024, up 79 percent from 2018. The ministry has also issued over 9,000 licenses, while cultural associations and amateur clubs surged from 28 to 993.

鈥淥ne notable outcome is the increase in the percentage of citizens who believe culture is important鈥攆rom under 70 percent to 92 percent,鈥� Prince Badr said. The ministry also oversees national celebrations such as Founding Day and Flag Day and has documented 9,317 antiquities sites and 25,000 urban heritage locations.

萝莉视频 has now met its Vision 2030 target of having eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, with Al-Faw joining the list in 2024. Cultural event attendance exceeded 23.5 million between 2021 and 2024, and major festivals such as the Red Sea Film Festival and Islamic Arts Biennale have become global draws.

The Cultural Scholarship Program has awarded scholarships to 1,222 students studying at over 120 institutions across countries, including the US, the UK, and France. The program鈥檚 flexible design 鈥� no age limit or required academic background 鈥� has broadened participation. 鈥淭oday, scholarship recipients are pursuing degrees in fields such as music, theater, and visual arts,鈥� the minister said.

Through the Cultural Development Fund, the ministry has disbursed SR377 million to more than 120 projects. 鈥淜ey areas of growth include heritage, music, and fashion. More than 1,200 creatives and entrepreneurs have benefited from its development services,鈥� he added.

鈥淕lobally, there is increasing recognition of culture鈥檚 role in sustainable economic value creation,鈥� the minister said. 鈥淥ur role is to preserve and promote cultural identity while making it accessible and economically valuable.鈥�