The European video‑game market posted a combined revenue of €24 billion in 2024, a figure that reflects the collective output of more than 6,600 development studios and a labour force exceeding 95,000 individuals. These numbers come from the latest European Video Game Industry Insights Report, a collaborative publication produced by the European Games Development Association (EGDF) together with Video Games Europe (VGA).
The report, which draws on data collected throughout 2024, offers a snapshot of the industry’s health at a time when both opportunities and challenges are shaping its trajectory. Data collection for the report follows a multi‑stage process. First, each of the 28 EGDF member organisations prepares a detailed national dossier that captures revenue, employment, studio counts and other key metrics.
These national dossiers are then merged into a single, pan‑European dataset that enables cross‑country comparisons and highlights regional trends. Because of the time needed to compile, verify and harmonise the figures, the publication released in early 2025 actually reflects the situation as it stood at the end of 2024.
One of the most striking observations in the 2024 edition is the divergence between two core indicators: the talent base and the number of operational studios. While the overall pool of skilled workers in the gaming sector appears to have plateaued—meaning that the year‑on‑year increase in employment has essentially stalled—the count of active studios continued to rise, expanding by somewhere between five and ten percent over the previous year. This suggests that new firms are entering the market or existing entities are splitting into specialised subsidiaries, even as the sector as a whole is not adding many new employees.
Country‑level details illustrate the nuance behind the aggregate figures. Finland, Italy and the Czech Republic each recorded modest gains in their employment numbers, indicating that these markets are still attracting or retaining talent despite the broader slowdown.
Poland emerged as the clear leader in terms of sheer headcount, employing the largest number of game‑development and publishing professionals across the EU. Polish studios also demonstrated prolific output, releasing 450 new titles during the year—a benchmark that underscores the country’s role as a production powerhouse. The United Kingdom, another major hub, reported a workforce of 28,516 individuals working in video‑game creation, publishing, and related services.
While the UK’s absolute numbers are impressive, the report notes that its growth rate has been more muted compared with the rapid expansion seen in some Central‑European economies. Two nations made their debut in the 2024 report: Bulgaria and Cyprus.
Cyprus, despite its relatively small size, generated €4.3 billion in turnover, earning the description of the "main game‑industry hub in terms of combined revenue" within the region. Bulgaria, on the other hand, was highlighted as an "important regional hub surrounded by key European game‑industry talent"—a nod to its strategic position near talent pools in Romania and Türkiye and its growing reputation as a supportive environment for developers. The EGDF’s commentary on the findings balances optimism with caution. On the positive side, the association emphasizes that several countries managed to grow both their revenue streams and the number of active studios, thereby lifting the overall European averages.
This dual growth indicates resilience: even when macro‑economic pressures make hiring more difficult, studios are still finding ways to expand their product pipelines, secure financing, and reach new audiences. Conversely, the report also flags less encouraging signals. The industry experienced a wave of layoffs, corporate consolidations and a measurable decline in employment in a handful of nations.
For the first time since systematic tracking began, the sector recorded a slight dip in total employment in certain markets, marking a historic low point for job growth. These setbacks are attributed to a combination of factors, including rising production costs, tighter access to venture capital, and the lingering effects of global economic uncertainty.
Looking ahead, analysts suggest that the European gaming ecosystem may need to recalibrate its talent strategies. Initiatives such as upskilling programs, cross‑border apprenticeship schemes and incentives for remote work could help mitigate the stagnation in the labour pool. At the same time, the continued rise in studio numbers points to a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that could drive innovation, niche‑genre development and the emergence of new business models such as live‑service games and game‑as‑a‑service platforms. In summary, the 2024 European Video Game Industry Insights Report paints a picture of an industry that is financially robust—€24 billion in turnover—and densely populated with over 6,600 studios and nearly 100,000 professionals.
Yet, beneath the headline figures lies a complex reality: growth in employment has stalled, while studio formation remains strong, and regional disparities are becoming more pronounced. Policymakers, investors and industry leaders will need to work together to sustain the sector’s momentum, ensuring that Europe remains a competitive and creative force in the global gaming landscape.