Cultural expenditure statistics use a classification scheme (LIKUS) that was specifically developed to meet the requirements of cultural reporting in a federal system. They are based on the closed accounts of the federal government, the federal provinces and the municipalities and are compiled annually.
To illustrate the economic significance of the cultural sector (cultural economy), Statistics Austria draws on several of its own data sources that are available on an annual basis. Enterprise-related data come from the census of local units of employment as part of the register-based labour market statistics. The structural business statistics (SBS) provide data on key economic indicators such as production value, value added, and turnover. Information on cultural goods is supplied by foreign trade statistics. The labour force survey conducted within the framework of the microcensus provides data on employment and income conditions.