Downloads: 2
India | Economics | Volume 14 Issue 11, November 2025 | Pages: 1474 - 1477
Culture as a Driver of Economic Development: A Theoretical and Empirical Review
Abstract: Culture and development are two words which can never reach the goal without going hand to hand together. Culture can contribute to a better quality of life, the other name of which is ?Development?. Global development discourse increasingly acknowledges that culture is not a peripheral concept but a central determinant of economic, social and human development. International bodies such as UNESCO and UNDP recognize cultural diversity, cultural capital, and cultural freedom as drivers of sustainable development. A report by UNESCO Houses noted that cultural and creative industries contribute over 3.1% of global GDP and around 6.2% of global employment. Similarly, cultural tourism accounts for nearly 40% of global tourism revenue, generating millions of livelihoods in developing economies. In the World Conference of UNESCO on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development - MONDIACULT 2022, a declaration was adopted affirming culture as a 'global public good'. These declarations have grounded culture at the heart of public policy and international cooperation by recognising its essential value for sustainable development. (UNESCO, 2023). This paper examines the multi-dimensional role of culture-including cultural values, traditional knowledge, cultural industries, creative economies, institutions and social norms-in influencing development outcomes. Drawing from literature and global data, the study argues that culture is not only a facilitator but often a precondition for inclusive and sustainable development.
Keywords: Culture, Development, Cultural Industries, Cultural Tourism, Human Development
How to Cite?: Dr. Alaka Hujuri, "Culture as a Driver of Economic Development: A Theoretical and Empirical Review", Volume 14 Issue 11, November 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1474-1477, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251120124246, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251120124246