The data in Table 6 show a high level of decentralisation in public spending on culture. Traditionally, the territorial governments (autonomous and local) account approximately for 86% of government spending in the sector. In 2016, regional and municipal authorities spent a total of EUR 4 137 698 000, of which 25.5% was spent by the regional powers and 74.5% by municipal authorities. The regions spending the highest percentage on culture in Spain were Catalonia (25.2%), Andalusia (14.7%), Basque Country (10.1%) and Madrid (8.2%).
The evolution of public cultural expenditure over the period 2010-2016 shows a decrease of 30% in nominal terms, and 34.2% at constant prices for 2016. This negative trend can be explained by the decline in regional cultural expenditure that amounted to 40.4%, in nominal terms, and 43.9%, in real terms. This is followed by the reduction of central funding, which suffered a decrease of 36.9% (40.7% in real terms), and in local funding that decreased by 23.7% (28.2% in real terms).
Table 6. Public cultural expenditure by level of government, 2010 and 2016
Level of government | 2010 | 2016* | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | % | Per capita | Total | % | Per capita | |
State (central, federal) | 1 050 642 | 15 | 22.6 | 662 627 | 14 | 14.3 |
Regional (provincial, Länder, etc.) | 1 769 059 | 26 | 38.1 | 1 054 331 | 22 | 22.7 |
Local (municipal, incl. counties) | 4 042 551 | 59 | 87.0 | 3 083 367 | 64 | 66.4 |
TOTAL | 6 862 252 | 100% | 147.7 | 4 800 325 | 100% | 103.4 |
Note: * Provisional data.
Source: Ministry of Culture and Sport (several years) Cultural Statistics Yearbook.
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