UK Creator Economy Valued At £2 Billion

The UK creator economy contributes over £2 billion to the nation’s GDP and supports more than 45,000 full-time equivalent jobs, according to a new report published by YouTube and Public First. The “Creator Consultation,” which surveyed almost 10,000 UK-based creators, reveals that the sector faces significant structural barriers despite its economic impact.

The research finds that 80% of watch time on content produced by UK-based YouTube channels comes from outside the UK, positioning creators as major cultural exporters. 

However, the report highlights that existing entrepreneurship support systems—from finance to skills training—were not designed with creators in mind.

A majority of UK creators (56%) believe they lack a voice in shaping government policies that impact their work, while 43% feel their value is not recognized by the broader creative industry.

“Creators form such an important part of our economy, yet we could still do more to give clear pathways for young Creators to develop the skills and resources needed to reach their full potential,” said Amelia Dimoldenberg, a creator quoted in the report.

Brandon Baum, another creator cited in the consultation, noted: “You have these TV shows that are still winning Emmys with maybe half a million streams on them, whereas YouTubers are creating content that gets literally hundreds of millions of views with zero recognition from the traditional world.”

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