Istanbul residents face barriers to cultural participation

A study by the Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA) reveals that 45.8% of Istanbul residents did not attend any cultural or artistic events in the past year. The primary barrier to participation is the high cost of tickets and entry fees, cited by 45% of respondents. Other significant obstacles include lack of time due to work or school, noted by 38.1% of participants.

Among those who do participate in cultural activities, concerts are the most popular choice at 33.9%, followed by theater and stand-up shows at 21.8%, and visits to art galleries or museums at 21.2%.

Economic conditions have also influenced spending habits. The largest reduction in spending occurred in social venues such as restaurants and cafes, which saw a decrease from 41.4% of respondents. Additionally, 37.6% of participants reported reducing expenditures on concert or theater tickets.