Lombardy is the beating heart of the Italian cultural economy. Caruso: "Result that …

Lombardy confirms itself as the beating heart of the Italian cultural and entertainment economy. This is what emerges from the data of two reports just published, `I am Culture 2026 Report´, and the `Siae´ Report 2025which photograph a record region on a national scale. Io sono Cultura 2026 – The report, created by the Symbola Foundation, Unioncamere, Centro Studi Tagliacarne and Deloitte, shows an increasingly strategic sector for the country’s competitiveness. Lombardy holds the national leadership in terms of economic size of the Cultural and Creative Production System (SPCC), with over 33 billion euros of added value, the highest figure in Italy. Lazio also performed well, standing as the region with the highest impact of culture on the economic system (8.1%), but Lombardy is the national locomotive thanks to the strength of its entrepreneurial fabric, the concentration of cultural and creative businesses and the ability to attract investments, talents and professionals. Record-breaking Milan – Driving the Lombardy performance is above all Milan, recognized by the report as the main Italian ecosystem of cultural innovation. In fact, the capital centralizes design, publishing, audiovisual, communication, architecture, fashion, software and video games, sectors that today represent the most dynamic sectors of the cultural economy. The report also highlights how the beauty of cities, the historical and architectural heritage and urban quality have also become factors of economic competitiveness, capable of attracting businesses and qualified human capital.

At a national level, the Cultural and Creative Production System generated 115.8 billion euros in 2025, equal to 5.7% of the Italian economy, marking a growth of 3.3% compared to the previous year. Those employed in the sector are close to 1.54 million (1.7%) and every euro produced by culture activates another 1.7 in other economic sectors, for an overall impact that amounts to approximately 310 billion euros, equal to 15.4% of the national GDP. The flagships of Lombardy – Among the strongest sectors are software and video games, the first sector for added value and employment, followed by publishing and printing, architecture and design, two sectors in which Lombardy has represented the main national hub for years. An integrated ecosystem – The report also shows that Lombardy benefits from an ecosystem in which culture, innovation and manufacturing interact in an increasingly close way. International events, such as the `Salone del Mobile´, together with the presence of universities, academies, large publishing groups, creative businesses and digital startups make Milan the international capital of design, as well as a permanent laboratory of innovation. According to the report, Lombard design alone generates around 19% of the sector’s national wealth, confirming the region’s role as a global point of reference for creativity and quality production. Councilor Caruso: culture and innovation are drivers of development – ”The two reports certify Lombardy’s primacy and tell us that the direction taken is the right one. These results confirm that the investments, attention and work we are carrying out in this legislature to support our cultural system are producing concrete effects. As the Lombardy Region, we will continue to make every effort necessary to enhance cultural heritage, support creative businesses and strengthen a sector that represents a driver of economic development, employment and international attractiveness. Being the first region in Italy for cultural richness is a result that makes us proud, but above all it encourages us to do even more to consolidate this leadership”.

The second report represents the annual snapshot of entertainment and entertainment in Italy. Lombardy confirms itself as the leading entertainment region in Italy, maintaining primacy in almost all sectors. According to the Siae 2025 Report, the region alone concentrates 18.4% of shows, 21.1% of spectators and 25.2% of national spending, also recording the highest average spending in Italy (20.24 euros per spectator, 4.9%). Despite a slight decline in events (-0.6%) and audiences (-0.1%), overall spending grew by 4.7%, confirming the solidity of the sector. Cinema – In cinema, Lombardy is first in Italy with 20.4% of spending and 19.5% of spectators. In the theater it leads with 16.6% of shows, 18.5% of the public and 21.1% of spending, as well as an average spending of 20.69 euros. The temple of opera – Even in opera, Lombardy occupies a top position: together with Veneto it represents 61.5% of national spending in the sector. The region records 368,235 spectators and 30.5 million euros in spending, with an average expenditure of 82.85 euros per spectator. Ballet – In ballet it consolidates its absolute primacy with 571,066 spectators (20.2% of the national total) and 18.5 million euros of spending, equal to 31% of the national value, accompanied by a growth of 12.5% ​​in the audience and 22.6% in spending. Live music – Lombardy is also first in classical music, with over 2,500 concerts, 679,000 spectators and 16 million euros of expenditure, equal to 20.6% of the national total, while in live music it confirms itself as the main Italian market with over 7,000 shows, more than 6 million spectators and 286.8 million euros of expenditure, concentrating 18.8% of events, 22.9% of the public and 26.9% of national spending. The role of the Milan-Rho-Assago hub is crucial, which alone attracts over 4 million spectators, with the Assago Forum capable of hosting 122 events and over 1.3 million admissions over the course of the year.