From generating billions in revenue to creating millions of jobs, the creative industries across the GCC are not just flourishing—they are fundamentally reshaping the region's economic and cultural landscape.
Key Takeaways
- The GCC creative industries generated $12.5 billion in revenue in 2022, representing a 15% year-on-year growth driven by digital content and advertising sectors
- In Saudi Arabia, the creative economy contributed 1.8% to national GDP in 2023, with film and entertainment leading at $2.1 billion
- UAE's creative sector output reached AED 45 billion in 2022, fueled by Dubai's media free zones
- The GCC creative industries employed 1.2 million people in 2023, with 45% in Saudi Arabia
- UAE creative sector workforce grew to 350,000 in 2022, 20% increase from 2020
- Saudi Arabia's film industry employed 25,000 professionals in 2023, up 150%
- GCC creative industries grew at 12% CAGR from 2018-2023, outpacing overall GDP growth of 4%
- Saudi creative sector expanded 22% in 2023, driven by NEOM and entertainment reforms
- UAE media and entertainment grew 16% YoY in 2022 to $10 billion
- GCC governments invested $15 billion in creative industries from 2018-2023
- Saudi Public Investment Fund allocated SAR 20 billion to entertainment by 2030
- UAE invested AED 5 billion in Dubai Creative District 2022-2025
- GCC creative exports to Europe reached $2.3 billion in 2023, up 18%
- UAE film festivals attracted 500,000 international visitors 2022
- Saudi content licensed to Netflix generated $150 million exports 2023
GCC creative industries grew significantly in 2022 and 2023 with widespread economic contributions.
Economic Contribution
- The GCC creative industries generated $12.5 billion in revenue in 2022, representing a 15% year-on-year growth driven by digital content and advertising sectors
- In Saudi Arabia, the creative economy contributed 1.8% to national GDP in 2023, with film and entertainment leading at $2.1 billion
- UAE's creative sector output reached AED 45 billion in 2022, fueled by Dubai's media free zones
- Qatar's creative industries added QAR 8.2 billion to GDP in 2023, primarily through events and design
- Bahrain's creative sector revenue hit BHD 450 million in 2022, with arts and crafts contributing 40%
- Oman's creative industries generated OMR 1.2 billion in 2023, boosted by tourism-linked cultural events
- Kuwait's media and entertainment sector produced KWD 850 million in revenue in 2022
- Total GCC creative exports reached $4.8 billion in 2023, with UAE accounting for 55%
- Saudi film industry box office hit SAR 250 million in 2023, up 300% from 2019
- GCC digital content market valued at $6.3 billion in 2022, growing at 18% CAGR
- Advertising spend in GCC creative sector totaled $7.2 billion in 2023
- GCC gaming industry revenue stood at $2.1 billion in 2022, with Saudi leading
- Fashion design sector in GCC generated $3.5 billion in 2023, UAE dominant
- Music streaming revenues in GCC hit $450 million in 2023, up 25%
- Publishing industry in GCC produced $1.8 billion revenue in 2022
- Visual arts sales in GCC totaled $900 million in 2023
- Animation and VFX market in GCC valued at $650 million in 2022
- Event management creative revenue in GCC reached $5.2 billion in 2023 post-COVID
- Architecture and design fees in GCC creative sector amounted to $4.1 billion in 2022
- Photography and videography services generated $1.2 billion in GCC in 2023
- Craft and heritage products sales in GCC hit $750 million in 2022
- Software and app development for creative tools in GCC valued at $2.8 billion in 2023
- Jewelry design creative output in GCC reached $3.9 billion in 2022
- Culinary creative industries contributed $2.4 billion to GCC economy in 2023
- Performing arts box office and tickets sales totaled $1.1 billion in GCC 2022
- Toy and game design manufacturing revenue in GCC was $850 million in 2023
- Interior design projects billed $2.7 billion across GCC in 2022
- Graphic design freelance and agency revenue hit $1.5 billion in GCC 2023
Economic Contribution Interpretation
The GCC's creative industries are proving that oil isn't the region's only liquid asset, as digital dreams and cultural commerce now generate billions with the relentless growth of a determined startup.
Employment and Workforce
- The GCC creative industries employed 1.2 million people in 2023, with 45% in Saudi Arabia
- UAE creative sector workforce grew to 350,000 in 2022, 20% increase from 2020
- Saudi Arabia's film industry employed 25,000 professionals in 2023, up 150%
- Qatar creative jobs numbered 45,000 in 2022, focused on design and media
- Bahrain's arts and crafts sector employed 12,000 in 2023
- Oman creative workforce reached 28,000 in 2022, with growth in digital content
- Kuwait media sector jobs totaled 18,500 in 2023
- GCC women in creative industries comprised 38% of workforce in 2023
- Youth under 30 held 55% of GCC creative jobs in 2022
- Digital creatives (animators, developers) numbered 420,000 across GCC in 2023
- Advertising agencies in GCC employed 95,000 in 2022
- Gaming industry workforce in GCC hit 65,000 in 2023, Saudi 40%
- Fashion designers and related jobs totaled 110,000 in GCC 2022
- Music production staff in GCC reached 22,000 in 2023
- Publishing employees numbered 75,000 GCC-wide in 2022
- Visual artists and gallery staff totaled 48,000 in 2023
- Animation studios employed 35,000 in GCC 2022
- Event planners and creatives numbered 120,000 in 2023
- Architects and designers jobs hit 89,000 in GCC 2022
- Photographers employed 32,000 across GCC in 2023
- Craftspeople in heritage sectors totaled 56,000 in 2022
- App developers for creatives numbered 78,000 in GCC 2023
- Jewelry designers employed 41,000 in 2022
- Chefs and culinary creatives totaled 210,000 GCC-wide 2023
- Performing arts performers and crew numbered 52,000 in 2022
- Toy designers jobs reached 19,000 in GCC 2023
- Interior designers employed 67,000 in 2022
- Graphic designers totaled 112,000 jobs in GCC 2023
Employment and Workforce Interpretation
The GCC's creative economy is booming with such youthful, digital, and delicious dynamism that you can practically hear the 38% of women leading the charge, taste the 210,000 culinary creatives plating up innovation, and see the future being animated by 420,000 digital pioneers—all while Saudi Arabia's cinematic ambitions alone grew a staggering 150%.
Export and International Presence
- GCC creative exports to Europe reached $2.3 billion in 2023, up 18%
- UAE film festivals attracted 500,000 international visitors 2022
- Saudi content licensed to Netflix generated $150 million exports 2023
- Qatar design products exported to US valued at QAR 1.2 billion 2022
- Bahrain pearls and crafts exported $80 million to Asia 2023
- Oman frankincense creative products hit OMR 45 million exports 2022
- Kuwait TV series sold to 50 Arab countries, $120 million revenue 2023
- GCC gaming apps downloaded 450 million times globally 2022
- Dubai Fashion Week showcased to 200 international buyers 2023
- GCC music tracks streamed 5 billion times worldwide 2022
- Arabic books translated and exported 1.2 million copies 2023
- GCC artists featured in 45% of global art fairs 2022
- UAE animation co-productions with Hollywood worth $90 million 2023
- Expo 2020 Dubai creative pavilions visited by 24 million internationals
- Saudi architecture firms won 12 international bids $1.5 billion 2022
- GCC photographers awarded in 30 global contests 2023
- Heritage crafts from GCC sold in 120 countries $250 million 2022
- Creative apps from GCC ranked top 100 in 80 markets 2023
- Dubai gold jewelry exported $18 billion globally 2022
- GCC fusion cuisine pop-ups in Europe generated $75 million 2023
- Performing arts tours reached 15 countries, 2 million tickets sold 2022
- Toys designed in GCC sold in Walmart 500 stores US 2023
- Interior design concepts licensed to IKEA Middle East $200 million 2022
- Graphic designs from GCC used by 50 Fortune 500 brands 2023
Export and International Presence Interpretation
While Gulf nations have long been known for exporting oil, these figures reveal they are now just as seriously in the business of exporting culture, design, and story, proving that the region's creative wells are flowing as richly as its economic ones.
Investment and Funding
- GCC governments invested $15 billion in creative industries from 2018-2023
- Saudi Public Investment Fund allocated SAR 20 billion to entertainment by 2030
- UAE invested AED 5 billion in Dubai Creative District 2022-2025
- Qatar Foundation poured QAR 2.5 billion into arts and design 2023
- Bahrain Tamkeen funded BHD 150 million for creative startups 2022
- Oman Vision 2040 allocated OMR 800 million to cultural industries
- Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion allocated KWD 300 million to media 2023
- VC funding for GCC gaming startups hit $1.2 billion in 2023
- Film funds in Saudi raised SAR 1.5 billion for 50 projects 2022
- UAE fashion tech investments totaled AED 1.8 billion 2023
- Music label investments in GCC reached $350 million 2022
- Publishing digital transformation funded $450 million GCC-wide 2023
- Art acquisition funds by GCC royals exceeded $2 billion in 2022 auctions
- Animation co-productions funded $200 million internationally 2023 GCC
- Event infrastructure investments hit $3.5 billion post-Expo 2022 Dubai
- Architecture R&D grants totaled $900 million in GCC 2023
- Photography equipment subsidies $150 million for creators 2022
- Heritage preservation investments $1.1 billion Oman and Bahrain 2023
- Creative app accelerators funded 500 startups with $600 million 2022 GCC
- Jewelry innovation labs received $400 million UAE 2023
- Culinary incubators funded $550 million across GCC 2022
- Performing arts venues built with $2.2 billion investment 2023
- Toy manufacturing plants funded $300 million Saudi 2022
- Interior design tech startups got $450 million VC 2023 GCC
- Graphic design platforms raised $280 million in 2022
Investment and Funding Interpretation
Turns out the GCC isn't just betting on oil anymore; it's building a wildly diversified cultural portfolio, investing billions from film to falconry tech with the serious, strategic whimsy of someone who knows the future is built not just with pipelines, but with playlists, pixels, and a grand cultural blueprint.
Sector Growth
- GCC creative industries grew at 12% CAGR from 2018-2023, outpacing overall GDP growth of 4%
- Saudi creative sector expanded 22% in 2023, driven by NEOM and entertainment reforms
- UAE media and entertainment grew 16% YoY in 2022 to $10 billion
- Qatar design sector increased 14% in 2023 post-World Cup
- Bahrain arts market grew 11% in 2022
- Oman digital content grew 19% YoY to 2023
- Kuwait advertising sector expanded 13% in 2022
- GCC film production grew 280% since 2018, with 120 films in 2023
- Gaming market in GCC projected to grow 15.5% to 2027
- Fashion creative growth at 18% CAGR in UAE 2020-2023
- Music industry in GCC grew 28% in 2023
- Publishing digital segment up 25% in GCC 2022
- Art market sales volume increased 22% in GCC auctions 2023
- Animation production capacity grew 35% with new studios in 2022
- Events industry rebounded 45% growth post-2022 in GCC
- Architecture billings up 17% in mega-projects 2023 GCC
- Photography market expanded 21% with social media boom 2022
- Heritage crafts grew 12% via e-commerce in GCC 2023
- Creative tech apps downloads surged 32% YoY in 2022 GCC
- Jewelry design exports grew 16% in 2023
- Culinary innovation sector up 24% with food festivals 2022
- Performing arts attendance rose 40% in 2023 GCC
- Toys and games market grew 14% with local production 2022
- Interiors design demand up 20% in luxury real estate 2023
- Graphic design output volume increased 27% digitally 2022 GCC
Sector Growth Interpretation
While the GCC's economic engine purrs along at a steady 4%, its creative industries have hijacked the stereo, cranked the volume to eleven, and are blasting a 12% growth anthem where every sector from film to fashion is dropping a fiery solo.
Sources & References
- Reference 1PWCpwc.comVisit source
- Reference 2MOCmoc.gov.saVisit source
- Reference 3Uu.aeVisit source
- Reference 4MOCmoc.gov.qaVisit source
- Reference 5BAHRAINbahrain.bhVisit source
- Reference 6OMANDAILYomandaily.omVisit source
- Reference 7MOImoi.gov.kwVisit source
- Reference 8STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 9SCFHSscfhs.org.saVisit source
- Reference 10DELOITTEwww2.deloitte.comVisit source
- Reference 11NEWZOOnewzoo.comVisit source
- Reference 12IFPIifpi.orgVisit source
- Reference 13WIPOwipo.intVisit source
- Reference 14ARTBASELartbasel.comVisit source
- Reference 15ANIMATIONXPRESSanimationxpress.comVisit source
- Reference 16EVENTMBeventmb.comVisit source
- Reference 17ARCHDAILYarchdaily.comVisit source
- Reference 18UNESCOunesco.orgVisit source
- Reference 19MCKINSEYmckinsey.comVisit source
- Reference 20DUBAIWORLDTRADEDENTREdubaiworldtradedentre.comVisit source
- Reference 21GASTROMONDIALEgastromondiale.comVisit source
- Reference 22ISPAispa.orgVisit source
- Reference 23TOYASSOCIATIONtoyassociation.orgVisit source
- Reference 24INTERIORDESIGNinteriordesign.netVisit source
- Reference 2599DESIGNS99designs.comVisit source
- Reference 26ILOilo.orgVisit source
- Reference 27GCOgco.gov.qaVisit source
- Reference 28OMANTELomantel.omVisit source
- Reference 29CAOcao.gov.kwVisit source
- Reference 30WEFORUMweforum.orgVisit source
- Reference 31UIA-ARCHITECTESuia-architectes.orgVisit source
- Reference 32PPAppa.comVisit source
- Reference 33UNESDOCunesdoc.unesco.orgVisit source
- Reference 34APPANNIEappannie.comVisit source
- Reference 35JCKONLINEjckonline.comVisit source
- Reference 36WORLDCHEFSworldchefs.orgVisit source
- Reference 37ASIDasid.orgVisit source
- Reference 38AIGAaiga.orgVisit source
- Reference 39VISION2030vision2030.gov.saVisit source
- Reference 40DMCCdmcc.aeVisit source
- Reference 41QFqf.org.qaVisit source
- Reference 42CBBcbb.gov.bhVisit source
- Reference 43OMANoman.omVisit source
- Reference 44CAScas.gov.kwVisit source
- Reference 45SCREENDAILYscreendaily.comVisit source
- Reference 46FASHIONUNITEDfashionunited.comVisit source
- Reference 47PUBLISHERSpublishers.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 48UBSubs.comVisit source
- Reference 49CARTOONBREWcartoonbrew.comVisit source
- Reference 50IEEEVENTSieeevents.comVisit source
- Reference 51ARCHITECTURALRECORDarchitecturalrecord.comVisit source
- Reference 52NIELSENnielsen.comVisit source
- Reference 53SENSORTOWERsensortower.comVisit source
- Reference 54RAPAPORTrapaport.comVisit source
- Reference 55TASTEATLAStasteatlas.comVisit source
- Reference 56THEATERMANIAtheatermania.comVisit source
- Reference 57LICENSEGLOBALlicenseglobal.comVisit source
- Reference 58DEZEENdezeen.comVisit source
- Reference 59CANVAcanva.comVisit source
- Reference 60BCGbcg.comVisit source
- Reference 61PIFpif.gov.saVisit source
- Reference 62DEDCdedc.aeVisit source
- Reference 63TAMKEENtamkeen.bhVisit source
- Reference 64OMANVISION2040omanvision2040.omVisit source
- Reference 65KDIPAkdipa.gov.kwVisit source
- Reference 66MAGNITTmagnitt.comVisit source
- Reference 67SFSAsfsa.gov.saVisit source
- Reference 68DUBAI-FUTUREdubai-future.comVisit source
- Reference 69BILLBOARDbillboard.comVisit source
- Reference 70FRANKFURTERBUCHMESSEfrankfurterbuchmesse.comVisit source
- Reference 71ARTSYartsy.netVisit source
- Reference 72ANNECYFESTIVALannecyfestival.comVisit source
- Reference 73EXPO2020DUBAIexpo2020dubai.comVisit source
- Reference 74IPPAippa.comVisit source
- Reference 75WHCwhc.unesco.orgVisit source
- Reference 76500500.coVisit source
- Reference 77OPERAARABIAoperaarabia.orgVisit source
- Reference 78SAGIAsagia.gov.saVisit source
- Reference 79AVav.vcVisit source
- Reference 80CRUNCHBASEcrunchbase.comVisit source
- Reference 81OECoec.worldVisit source
- Reference 82DUBAIFILMFESTdubaifilmfest.comVisit source
- Reference 83NETFLIXnetflix.comVisit source
- Reference 84QCCIqcci.orgVisit source
- Reference 85BAHRAINEXPORTbahrainexport.comVisit source
- Reference 86OMANEXPORTomanexport.comVisit source
- Reference 87KBCkbc.gov.kwVisit source
- Reference 88ARABIANFASHIONWEEKarabianfashionweek.comVisit source
- Reference 89CHARTMASTERSchartmasters.orgVisit source
- Reference 90ARTFORUMartforum.comVisit source
- Reference 91VARIETYvariety.comVisit source
- Reference 92CTBUHctbuh.orgVisit source
- Reference 93WORLDPRESSPHOTOworldpressphoto.orgVisit source
- Reference 94ETSYetsy.comVisit source
- Reference 95APPFIGURESappfigures.comVisit source
- Reference 96DGCXdgcx.aeVisit source
- Reference 97MICHELINmichelin.comVisit source
- Reference 98BROADWAYWORLDbroadwayworld.comVisit source
- Reference 99TOYFAIRNYtoyfairny.comVisit source
- Reference 100IKEAikea.comVisit source
- Reference 101BEHANCEbehance.netVisit source