Portugal/ 6. Financing of culture  

6.1 Short overview

The main indicator for public funding of culture is the relevant section of the Government's General Budget. As Table 3 shows, the percentage of the budget allocated to the Ministry of Culture averaged 0.5% over a period of thirteen years, although in 2009 that percentage was only 0.3% - the lowest relative value in that period.

Table 3:     Culture provision in the State Budget, in % and million EUR, 1998-2010

Sources:    Ministry of Finances / DGO, State Budget Report.
*                 does not include the media.
**              does not include State Corporate Sector.

Expenditure on culture by public authorities for the last 5 years (Figure 2) demonstrated a constant trend (around 1.1% of GDP), with an exception in the year 2006 (1.0%).

Figure 2:    Expenditure by public authorities on culture, in% of GDP, 2002-2007

Source:      INE, Indicadores Sociais, 2008. http://www.ine.pt/
Note:         Statistical data for expenditure on recreation, sports and religion.

An examination of the total expenditure on culture by Portuguese families shows no significant changes at around 4% of GDP until 2003. However, since then, an upward trend can be noticed (Figure 3).

Figure 3:    Expenditure on culture by Portuguese families, in % of GDP, 1998-2006

Source:      INE, Indicadores sociais 2008. http://www.ine.pt/.
Note:         Statistical data for final consumption expenditure of households on leisure, recreation and culture