The debate on the social relevance of museums requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account both socio-cultural and economic aspects. This study by the Institut für Museumsforschung (IfM, Institute for Museum Research) systematically examines the economic footprint of museums in Germany. It focuses exclusively on the economic and tourism effects of museums and concludes that museums are important economic location factors. Every euro invested in museums by the public sector generates €1.70 in added value and contributes to a further €2.40 in added value through tourism expenditure.
The representative study on the economic effects of the museum landscape in Germany is the first to examine the economic effects generated by the work of museums at a national level. Direct, indirect and induced effects on value creation, income, purchasing power, employment and fiscal returns to the public sector were recorded, as well as the effects of the accompanying expenditure of tourist visitors. It was inspired by a survey conducted and published by the Austrian Museums Association in 2018. The study “The economic footprint of museums” is based on data from a representative survey conducted by the ICG Integrated Consulting Group together with the Institute for Museum Research in the Fall/Winter of 2024/2025 among museums in Germany. Data was requested for the 2023 financial year.
Project lead: Prof. Dr. Patricia Rahemipour, IfM & Kathrin Grotz, IfM
Cooperation: ICG Integrated Consulting Group (ICG)
Survey and Data Analysis: Dr. Silvia Selinski, IfM; Marc André Günther, ICG; Lutz Hempel, ICG; Günther Kradischnig, ICG; Nadine Krasser, ICG
Layout and Design: Julia Neller
Duration: August 2024 until June 2025
