Creative industries in global trade: An international competitiveness analysis

Abstract

Creative industries are increasingly recognized as key drivers of sustainable economic development. This study examines the international trade competitiveness of 226 economies in the creative industries, utilizing seven widely utilised indices of trade competitiveness for the most recent year data available, 2023. The analysis explores export, import, and trade balance patterns across various economic groups, regions, and major economies in creative industries. It also identifies the export value of the most traded ten creative industries products worldwide. Findings reveal that approximately 78% of the 226 countries exhibit comparative disadvantages or lack international competitiveness in creative industries. Notably, there is a high concentration of competitiveness in the creative industries around certain major countries, particularly in Asia-Pacific and European regions, including countries such as Türkiye, Italy, India, China, Indonesia, France, Vietnam, Poland, Portugal, Thailand, and Spain. Furthermore, 10 out of 262 creative industry products account for 52.4% of creative industries exports in the world, indicating a high level of product concentration in creative industries. This study also reveals that inter-industry trade, driven by comparative advantage, is the dominant pattern in international creative industries trade, with only around 3% of countries exhibiting intra-industry trade patterns.