National, regional and local government spent a total €1.7bn on the arts and culture last year – the average of €100 per person – according to research by RTL news.

Rotterdam spent the most on the arts – an average of €188 per person, but Amsterdam’s total bill of €135m was the biggest among local councils. Dordrecht and Westland local councils spent the least – just €30 per head of their populations.
The biggest proportion of local authority arts and culture spending went on public libraries, the survey showed.
National government spent €400m subsidising the arts and culture of which €100m went on orchestras.
The national touring opera and national opera company received the most subsidies per customer – €194 and €175 respectively.