Income distribution and cultural participation: Evidence from Italy

This paper investigates the relationship between income distribution and cultural participation using regional data from Italy for the period 2011-2022. Unlike traditional studies that emphasise individual factors, such as personal income and education, as determinants of cultural consumption, we interpret cultural participation as a social behaviour influenced by income distribution. Our findings reveal a robust and significant negative effect of income inequality, measured by the Gini index, on participation in out-of-home cultural activities. This effect persists after controlling for income, education, and other factors, including labour market conditions and access to digital tools. The paper also examines the mechanisms through which income distribution may shape cultural engagement and suggests policy implications for making cultural participation an effective means of fostering social inclusion.