Nation's innovative and economic progress persistently fueled by the creative sector

Baden-Württemberg, a German state known for its rich history and picturesque landscapes, also boasts a vibrant culture and creative economy. This sector is represented in various areas across the state, with companies in the cultural and creative industries accounting for approximately 12% of all such companies in Germany and around 7% of the total of about 428,000 companies in Baden-Württemberg.

The software/games sub-market leads the pack in Baden-Württemberg, with a turnover of around €11.7 billion and an average turnover per company of around €2 billion. Even excluding SAP's significant contribution of around €4.9 billion, this sub-market remains the most profitable, showing a 12% increase over the previous year, with a total turnover of around €16.6 billion in 2023. The study predicts that the software/games industry will continue to expand its role as a driver of innovation and maintain its leading position in the long term.

The visual effects (VFX), animation, and games sectors play a crucial role in this thriving economy, including in the context of the metaverse. Other significant sub-markets include design, advertising, architecture, and book publishing, each with turnovers of around €2 to €3 billion.

The press market follows the software/games sub-market in terms of turnover. However, it experienced a significant decline in turnover of over 10% in 2023, continuing a long-term negative trend. The newspaper publishing sector was particularly affected, with a turnover decline of around €525 million. On the other hand, the publishing of magazines was the most affected sector, with a turnover decline of around €525 million.

Despite these challenges, the culture and creative economy in Baden-Württemberg continues to grow. In 2023, it had a total turnover of around 30.5 billion euros, employing around 192,000 people, more than the combined employment in the pharmaceutical, energy supply, and chemical industries. Companies in the art and culture sector are present in all types of regions in Baden-Württemberg, including the rural areas, where 14 percent of the total employees in the cultural and creative industries are employed.

Key factors for the positive outlook of the software/games industry include efficiency gains from the increasing use of artificial intelligence and gamification approaches, as well as closer cooperation between the software and games industries. The "Rapp visits Gamescom 2025" press release mentions funding opportunities in areas such as economy, start-ups, digitalization, artificial intelligence, rural areas, and culture.

The annual "Location Study 'Cultural and Creative Economy in Baden-Württemberg'" is created by Goldmedia on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor and Tourism Baden-Württemberg and MFG Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg. This study provides valuable insights into the state's culture and creative economy, highlighting its significance and potential for continued growth.