The economic and
social situation of the
creative industries

In 2022, one in four solo self-employed persons in cultural and creative occupations earned less than 1,000 euros net per month. Solo self-employed persons are significantly more likely to have very low incomes than the working population in Germany as a whole. In turn, low incomes are reflected in low pension expectations. The median monthly contribution to pension insurance is around 150 euros.

These are the key findings of our study on the economic and social situation of solo self-employed and hybrid workers in the cultural and creative industries (CCI), the public cultural sector and cultural professions in Germany. Prognos, together with the German Association of Independent Performing Arts (BFDK), was commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media to determine the status quo in this group of people.

Based on a large-scale survey of solo self-employed and hybrid workers, as well as an evaluation of statistical data from the microcensus and the artists' social security fund (KSK), the study provides a well-founded and detailed overview of the economic situation and social security.

Only 25 per cent of the solo self-employed surveyed rate their economic situation as good or very good.

The coronavirus pandemic has starkly revealed the difficult working conditions faced by some solo self-employed in the creative industries. Solo self-employed and hybrid workers in cultural and creative occupations are often affected by strong income fluctuations. Their social security in times of crisis was perceived as insufficient. For these reasons, the German government sought to improve the social situation of freelance artists and creatives. The study provides a well-founded and detailed overview of the situation.

These are the key findings:

• Solo self-employment is very important in cultural and creative occupations: 562,000 people belong to this occupational group. At least 40,000 of them are engaged in hybrid employment.
• The annual income from self-employment among the respondents is €18,750 for full-time work in 2023 (median value).
• The income situation is heterogeneous: one in four solo self-employed persons in the cultural and creative industries earned less than €1,000 net per month in 2022, while one in five earned more than €3,000 net per month.
• Overall, solo self-employed persons are significantly more likely to have very low incomes than the working population as a whole in Germany.
• More than 60 per cent of the respondents pursue more than one occupation/activity.
• Only 25 per cent of the solo self-employed surveyed rate their economic situation as good or very good.
• The frequently low incomes are reflected in low pension expectations. The median monthly contribution to pension insurance is 148 euros.
• 40 per cent of those surveyed have no savings for their retirement.

Self-employed sole traders in the KKW need economic stability

On the basis of the results, we identified measures that improve the social situation of freelance workers in the cultural and creative industries.

1. Improving the economic situation, e.g. by making a commitment to minimum fee standards as a funding condition at all funding levels and by establishing transparent, adequate calculation standards.
2. Expansion of social security, e.g. by promoting early retirement planning for solo self-employment and easing the conditions for accessing voluntary unemployment insurance.
3. Reduction of gender-specific inequalities, e.g. by supporting the visibility of female artists in all phases of life and making childcare costs eligible for funding in arts and culture funding programmes.
4. Further development of economic development and the promotion of art and culture, e.g. by ensuring technology-proof copyrights and ancillary copyrights and a demand-oriented expansion of funding programmes.
5. Offers for career entry and qualification, e.g. by integrating entrepreneurial aspects into the curricula of vocational training and studies.

Our approach

The present study comprehensively examines the social and economic situation of solo self-employed and hybrid workers in the cultural and creative industries in Germany. The methodological setting includes:

• the evaluation of statistical data from the microcensus and the artists' social security fund (KSK)
• the survey of around 1,600 solo self-employed and hybrid workers in the KKW and in cultural occupations in 2024
• the participation of industry stakeholders in two project-related events and several individual expert discussions, and
• an analysis of existing information services for solo self-employed creatives.

Links and downloads

Study (PDF, german)

Project team: Dr Olaf Arndt, Bianca Creutz, Frauke Dornberg, Dr Anna Heugel, Klaudia Lehmann, Arun Mahato

Last update: 15.10.2024