Abstract: Based on the structural decomposition analytic method with the partially closed input-output model, this paper uses the input-output data of cultural industry from 1997 to 2011 to make an empirical analysis of the driving factors for the development of the cultural industries in China and USA. The results suggest that the United States relies on the “dual-core”, capital and technology to drive the development of its cultural industry, while China depends more on capital, so the restriction from technology progress is quite obvious. The rate of labor remuneration is a common major factor restricting the cultural industries in China and in USA. The average propensity to consume and the residents’ consumption pattern have limited contributions to China. The net export has became an important driving factor for China’s recent ten year development, while at the same time it is the main restricting factor in the United States. As for the development of cultural manufacturing industry, China is pushed by net export, while USA is driven by capital. As for the development of cultural service industry, China is pushed by capital while USA is driven by technological progress.

Key words: cultural industry; driving factor; partially closed input-output model; structural decomposition