Global inequalities in arts and creative engagement in and outside school: analyses of 441,183 15-year-olds across 73 countries

Arts and creative engagement is a recognised human right and offers significant benefits for young people. However, past research, predominantly from Western countries, shows arts engagement is often low and socially patterned. It was unclear if this holds globally or across in-school and out-of-school contexts. We analysed data from the OECD PISA which surveyed 441,183 15-year-olds across 73 countries, and found substantial variation in engagement. Notably: (1) Countries with higher in-school engagement rates also have higher out-of-school engagement rates. (2) Most students engage more in arts in school than out of school. (3) Individual-, school, and country-related factors may influence engagement. Schools hold the potential to equalise engagement in and outside school and thus reduce cultural, health and academic inequalities.