Eurobarometer publishes findings on Europeans’ attitudes towards culture

The European Commission published the results of a new Eurobarometer survey that reveals the importance of culture in the lives of Europeans. It provides EU citizens’ views on many culture-related topics such as artistic freedom, generative AI, the working conditions of artists, and the value of cultural heritage and participation in artistic activities.

Key findings

Culture’s important place in society

Culture remains a cornerstone of European society, with Europeans placing it at the top when asked what fosters a sense of community, alongside shared values and history. 87% of respondents agree that culture and cultural exchange should have a very important place in the EU so that citizens from different EU countries can feel more European.

An overwhelming 86% say cultural heritage is important for Europe, confirming that culture and heritage are not just a reflection of the past but a vital part of everyday life. 

The survey reveals that culture is highly regarded by EU citizens and continues to thrive, with 86% saying they believe culture and the arts are important for the welfare and economic development of the place they live in.

Free expression and artistic freedom are fundamental to healthy democracies

88% of Europeans said that freedom of artistic expression was important to them. In addition, 77% of Europeans agree that artists can freely express their ideas and opinions without fear of censorship or retaliation by their government. 

However, data also highlights variations between countries, suggesting that perceptions of artistic freedom are not equally shared across the EU. These differences underline the need to continue safeguarding artistic expression and ensuring that all artists, regardless of background or location, can create without fear.

3 out of 4 concerned about the impact of generative AI on artists

The rapid pace at which generative AI has entered our societies is reflected in the results of the survey. Less than half of Europeans (48%) said they could tell the difference between an AI piece of art and one crafted by a human. At the same time almost 3 in 4 Europeans (73%) are concerned that the rise of generative AI may have an impact on employment or earnings for artists. Indeed, fair pay for artists is a concern in general. 

Just half of respondents (51%) say that they believe artists in their country generally receive fair and appropriate remuneration for their work. 

Growing participation in artistic activities

A growing number of Europeans are actively participating in creative and artistic activities like dancing, singing, and playing musical instruments. Almost half (49%) of the respondents indicated that they participated in artistic activities in the previous 12 months, either on their own or as part of a group. This is one third more than in 2013 (when this figure was 37%).

Closer collaboration on cultural policy

The Special Eurobarometer published on 8 May 2025 also reveals that Europeans believe their country and the EU should work more closely together on cultural policy matters. 

According to EU citizens, top priorities should be:

• making the arts more accessible
• protecting cultural heritage sites during wars, natural disasters or climate change
• ensuring artists and cultural workers have fair pay and good working conditions
• protecting artistic freedom and cultural rights
• helping artists and cultural workers develop new skills

Glenn Micallef, EU Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport said: 

I am excited by the results of the latest Eurobarometer on Culture. They remind us of the crucial role that culture plays in the daily lives of EU citizens, and for our European project, democracy and social cohesion. It is encouraging to see that the vast majority of Europeans think that culture and cultural exchange should have a very important place in the EU so that citizens from different EU countries can feel more European. The findings provide useful input for the planned Culture Compass for Europe – an initiative that I will table later this year.

Input for the Culture Compass for Europe

The results of this Special Eurobarometer will feed into the next preparatory stages of the Culture Compass for Europe, the European Commission’s upcoming strategic framework for EU cultural policy, which is expected to be published in 2025. 

A call for evidence on the Culture Compass is currently open for feedback until 13 May. 

About the Special Eurobarometer

The survey was conducted between February-April 2025 and collected responses from more than 267,300 EU citizens. The full, detailed report as well as fact sheets for each of the 27 EU Member States have been published on the Eurobarometer website.

About the EU’s role in culture

The European Commission works with EU countries to help address common challenges for the cultural and creative sectors, such as 

• the green and digital transitions
• the working conditions of artists
• international cultural relations

The EU also provides funding through the Creative Europe programme, the only EU programme dedicated to support the cultural and creative sectors. With its €2.44 billion budget for the period between 2021 and 2027, Creative Europe supports projects that

• reinforce cultural diversity
• promote artistic expression
• cultural exchange and cooperation
• boost the economic potential of the creative industries