Why Tbilisi Dominates Cultural Life in Georgia: 2024 Culture Statistics and Regional Disparities

National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) provides a clear picture of cultural concentration in its 2024 cultural statistics. The data confirms that the country’s cultural infrastructure, events, and audiences remain heavily centralized in the capital. Yet behind these numbers lies a deeper structural imbalance that reflects broader regional development challenges.

Georgia currently has 54 professional theaters. Of these, 29 are located in Tbilisi, accounting for 54 percent of the total. Imereti hosts 8 theaters (15 percent), while the remaining regions share 17 theaters (31 percent). When compared to the population distribution — with roughly 35 percent of Georgians living in Tbilisi — this translates into significantly greater theater access for Tbilisi residents. On average, one Tbilisi resident has about 1.5 times more theater capacity available than residents in the rest of the country.

The gap becomes even wider when looking at the number of performances. In 2024, a total of 4,518 performances were held nationwide, of which 69 percent took place in Tbilisi. While the capital accounts for just over one-third of the country’s population, it hosts nearly 70 percent of all performances — effectively offering twice the event availability compared to the rest of Georgia.

Audience figures reflect a similar pattern. The total number of theatergoers in 2024 reached 636 thousand. Of these, 66 percent were in Tbilisi, 10 percent in Imereti, and only 24 percent across the rest of the regions combined. On a per capita basis, Tbilisi residents attend cultural events nearly twice as frequently as people living outside the capital.

The picture is somewhat less extreme when it comes to museums. In 2024, Georgia had 261 museums and museum-reserves. Tbilisi hosted 59 of them, or 23 percent of the total. Imereti and Kakheti also held relatively significant shares, with 15 and 14 percent respectively. While the capital still leads, the concentration of museums is less severe than in the theater sector, and many regions retain important cultural institutions of their own.

Yet visitor numbers remain heavily tilted towards Tbilisi. In 2024, museums received 1.9 million visitors overall, with the majority again concentrated in the capital. The average number of visitors per museum is significantly higher in Tbilisi than elsewhere, reflecting both stronger local demand and higher tourist flows.

Such cultural concentration is not unique to Georgia — many countries experience similar capital-centric patterns. However, the degree of centralization is more pronounced in Georgia’s case. Tbilisi’s dominance stems from its economic weight, educational institutions, financial resources, and concentration of professional staff. In contrast, regional areas often struggle with limited funding, shortage of qualified personnel, and lower disposable income among the population.

Strengthening regional culture requires more than simply building new theaters or museums. A long-term approach is necessary — investing in human capital, expanding cultural programs, and supporting local initiatives — to ensure that vibrant cultural life becomes accessible across all parts of Georgia.