Cost of Living Hits Social Life: Ticket Prices a Barrier for Istanbulites; Restaurants-Cafes First Cut

High ticket prices are significantly hindering Istanbul residents' ability to participate in cultural and artistic events, according to the July edition of the Istanbul Barometer survey conducted by the Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA). The research, which involved 758 participants, highlights the tangible impact of the economic crisis on social habits and cultural engagement in the city.

Results indicate that 45.8% of Istanbul residents could not attend any cultural or art events in the past year. Among those who did participate, concerts were the most popular choice (33.9%), followed by theater/stand-up shows (21.8%) and visits to art galleries or museums (21.2%). However, the primary obstacle cited for participation was the cost of tickets and entrance fees, reported by 45% of respondents. Lack of time due to work and school commitments was the second-largest barrier, affecting 38.1% of people.

The economic downturn has also led to substantial cuts in entertainment spending. Social venues like restaurants and cafes saw the largest reduction in expenditure, with 41.4% of participants cutting back. Spending on concert or theater tickets decreased for 37.6%, and cinema tickets for 37.2%. Museum visits were reduced by 26%, book and digital content purchases by 25.9%, and streaming service subscriptions by 25.2%. Despite these cuts, 39.8% of respondents stated they had not reduced spending in any of these areas.

While 56.9% of Istanbul residents prefer attending physical events, a notable 28.5% are increasingly turning to social media and digital content for their cultural experiences. This shift is attributed to the convenience and affordability of digital options, with 34.3% citing practicality for time-constrained individuals and 29.6% pointing to accessibility and lower costs. The average daily time spent on digital entertainment (3 hours and 8 minutes) is remarkably close to the total leisure time available (3 hours and 44 minutes), underscoring the growing dominance of digital consumption.