Culture is an important issue for EU citizens

Culture plays a crucial role in creating community, belonging and meaning in people’s lives. It is something that unites us – regardless of background or country. It’s not just about art and music, but also about shared values, our history and how we shape the future together.

A new Eurobarometer survey shows that culture plays a central role in the European community. 29 % of Europeans say that culture itself creates a sense of belonging – particularly evident in Cyprus (45%), Greece (41%) and Latvia (39%).

But it is not only culture that creates community. Many also mention it:

• Values (26 %) – especially in Sweden (45%) and Finland (43%)
• History (24 %) – most in Denmark (35%) and Greece (33%)
• Economy (22 %) – mainly in Greece (38%) and the Netherlands (30%)
• Sport (19 %) – highest in Slovenia (39%) and Ireland (37%)

Citizens want the EU to focus more on

1. Making arts and culture accessible to all (45%)
2. Protecting cultural heritage in case of war, climate or natural disasters (43%)
3. Ensuring fair working conditions and pay for cultural workers (42%)

In all Member States, at least 6 in 10 consider culture to be personally important. This is strongest in Luxembourg (92%), Cyprus (89%) and Italy (89%).

But there are also new challenges. Technological developments, particularly in AI, are raising questions about how the culture of the future is created – and who creates it. People across Europe care about artistic freedom, see the value of cultural exchange and want cultural workers to have fair conditions. At the same time, there are growing concerns about the impact of new technologies like AI on artistic professions – in terms of jobs, income and the authenticity of what is created.

Since 2007, interest in culture has grown particularly in Ireland (+22%), Greece (+16%) and Luxembourg (+15%), showing how culture continues to be both a foundation of identity and a bridge to the future.

Culture is not just where we come from – it is how we build something together.

Read more about the survey here.