Economic Resilience of Cultural and Creative Industries During Crisis Processes in Mexico

The Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) are dynamic contributors to the global economy but face inherent vulnerabilities due to their structure of small enterprises and project-based nature. This study quantifies the economic resilience of CCIs in Mexico across multiple economic cycles from 1994 to 2023, aiming to fill a gap in quantitative evidence regarding sectoral performance during shocks. Using quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data, the research applies a counterfactual analytical framework based on resistance and recovery indices. The methodology assesses how specific subsectors—arts and entertainment, research and development (R&D), and services—deviate from national growth patterns during recessions and subsequent expansions. Empirical results indicate that while CCIs generally exhibited weak resistance during the 1994 and 2000 crises, they demonstrated robust recovery capacities. Notably, the 2008 crisis saw resilient performance in the services sector, and the COVID-19 pandemic induced exceptional recovery indices (exceeding 2.0) in arts and services, likely facilitated by rapid digitalization. The study concludes that CCI resilience is contingent on the nature of the crisis. Future sustainability requires a shift from emergency survival to “ecological resilience,” supported by public policies that address financial precariousness and foster digital adaptation.