The World Governments Summit partnered with FTI Consulting to launch a report on February 4, 2026 that frames the creative economy as a central driver of sustained growth and diversification for nations seeking new sources of prosperity and influence. Titled “Creative Futures: The Springboard for Sustained Economic Growth and Diversification,” the document offers public sector leaders a strategic roadmap built around governance, financing, talent and global engagement. UNESCO data cited within the assessment placed the global creative economy at approximately $2.25 trillion in 2020, equivalent to 3.1 percent of world GDP while supporting nearly 6.2 percent of total employment worldwide.
The joint announcement from the World Governments Summit and FTI Consulting described a paradigm shift in which cultural and creative industries spanning film, music, performing arts, publishing, design, gaming, architecture and digital content creation have moved from the periphery of economic planning to become essential engines for sustainable expansion, talent development and soft power projection. According to the report, every dollar invested in these industries generates roughly $2.50 in wider economic output through spillover effects that touch tourism, manufacturing and urban services. The multiplier effect, which stands at 2.5 globally and 1.9 in the United Kingdom per supporting analyses referenced in the document, underscores the sector’s capacity to amplify returns beyond direct spending.
Antoine Nasr, Senior Managing Director and Head of FTI Consulting Middle East, said in the statement accompanying the launch, “This report demonstrates that creativity is not just an asset for culture, it is a cornerstone of national economic strategy.” He added that integrating governance, financing, talent development and global engagement allows governments to unlock transformative value from the creative economy, driving innovation, job creation and international influence. The assessment stressed that coordinated policy across ministries can convert creative potential into measurable economic outcomes.
A dedicated section of the report, according to the World Governments Summit statement, calls for whole-of-government governance structures backed by specialised units to align creative policy with broader development goals. Such frameworks have enabled several countries to translate cultural assets into tangible contributions to GDP and employment, the document found. The analysis warned that fragmented approaches often limit the sector’s ability to scale or deliver cross-cutting benefits.
Innovative financing mechanisms form another pillar highlighted in the FTI Consulting and World Governments Summit report. Blended finance, public guarantees and dedicated creative funds can help overcome the capital barriers that traditionally constrain creative enterprises, which frequently lack the collateral required by conventional lenders. The study pointed to these tools as critical for nurturing startups in gaming, digital content and design that drive future growth.
Education systems must embed creativity, entrepreneurship and adaptive skills to build a workforce suited to the digital creative economy, the report advised. Without deliberate curriculum reform, nations risk falling short of the talent needed to sustain innovation in rapidly evolving fields such as artificial intelligence-assisted design and immersive media. The document presented this workforce development as foundational to long-term competitiveness.
Creative exports offer governments a powerful instrument of soft power that enhances cultural diplomacy and global visibility, according to the assessment released at the summit. By supporting the international circulation of music, film and design, countries can expand economic reach while shaping international perceptions. The report concluded that the creative economy represents a generational opportunity, with nations acting decisively now poised to become producers and exporters rather than mere consumers and importers of cultural goods.
