Belgium/ 6. Financing of culture  

6.2 Public cultural expenditure per capita

According to a study made by the French Community, total cultural expenditure per capita in Belgium in 1999 was 245 euros including expenditure by the Flemish and French Community for non-professional arts education (or 223 euros excluding this item). This amount includes inter-governmental transfers.

Flemish Community

In 2005, cultural expenditure in the Flemish Community was 910 768 000 euros for youth and sport, continuing education, libraries, arts, heritage monuments and sites, media (including public broadcasting) and non-professional arts education.

Cultural expenditure, defined in this way, was 145.62 euros per capita, and 4.99% of the total budget of the Flemish Community.

The increase in the budget for 2005 is 33.9% compared to 2000 (686 833 000 euros), and 63.8% compared to 1995 (561 440 000 euros).

The share of the budget allocated to culture was 4.14% in 1995 and 4.27% in 2000.

French Community

Expenditure per capita in the French Community is 105 euros for the period of 2000-2004. A survey conducted in 2001 shows the breakdown of cultural expenditure per capita according to the cultural sectors:

• audiovisual and multimedia: 35%;
• artistic education: 22%;
• performing arts: 12%;
• youth and continuing education: 6%;
• international relations: 5%;
• cultural infrastructures: 4%;
• books and literature: 3%; and
• fine arts and non-moveable heritage: 2%.