Determinants of potential cultural engagement and the case for a cross-national cultural needs database

<ns3:p> Background Cultural engagement is widely recognized for its contributions to mental health, cognitive development, and social cohesion. However, while much research has examined actual participation, the concept of potential cultural engagement—individuals’ intentions or openness to engage more—remains underexplored. Understanding this latent demand is crucial for informing inclusive cultural policies. Yet, internationally standardized data on cultural needs remain scarce, hindering cross-national comparisons and evidence-based planning. Methods This study investigates the determinants of potential cultural engagement in Greece using an adapted version of the <ns3:italic>2019 Survey on Cultural Participation and Needs in Barcelona</ns3:italic> . The questionnaire was distributed online and included demographic questions, past and intended cultural behavior, and attitudinal items. We constructed indices of current and potential engagement and applied an ordered probit model to examine how sociodemographic factors, parental background, prior cultural activity, and attitudes (summarized through principal component analysis) influence anticipated participation. Results The strongest predictor of potential engagement was current cultural intensity, indicating a self-reinforcing dynamic in cultural behavior. Regional location (prefecture) was also significant, highlighting spatial disparities in access to cultural opportunities. Demographic variables such as gender and age, along with parental engagement, were not statistically significant. One latent attitudinal component (PC2) showed marginal significance, suggesting motivational factors may also shape potential engagement. Conclusion Our findings underscore the importance of actual cultural habits and geographic context over background traits in shaping future participation. From a policy perspective, identifying populations with high engagement potential can guide more effective and equitable investment. We advocate for the broader adoption of standardized cultural needs surveys across countries, facilitating the creation of a robust international database to inform targeted, data-driven cultural policy and foster cross-national learning. JEL Classification Z10, Z19 </ns3:p>