The state budget describes that cultural, integration, and sports policies help preserve and develop Estonian culture. It also improves people's lives and society. However, the graph shows that culture is receiving less funding each year.
This year, the Ministry of Culture's budget was 391 million euros. Next year, it will be 365 million euros. Later, it will decrease further, and by 2029, it will be 325 million euros.
The budget description states that next year's budget will not decrease. Compared to this year's budget, it will increase by nearly nine percent next year. This year, the cultural budget was reduced by 13.4 million euros. Next year, there will be an additional reduction of 7.95 million euros.
This year, funding for cultural foundations and museums was reduced by four percent. Next year, this reduction will not increase, but other subsidies and expenses will be reduced. This does not affect specific institutions dealing with cultural policy.
The Ministry of Culture employs a total of 380 people. The largest institution is the Estonian National Museum, which employs 127 people. The cultural sector has approximately 3,600 full-time jobs.
The salaries in the Ministry of Culture are lower compared to other sectors. Next year, they will become even lower. The salaries of highly educated cultural workers have remained the same for several years. In 2024, it will rise to 1,720 euros.
While the average salary in other ministries has increased by more than eight percent, in the Ministry of Culture, it has increased by less than three percent.