In 2024 the European video‑game market demonstrated its economic heft by generating a combined turnover of roughly €24 billion. This impressive figure was produced by more than 6,600 development studios that collectively employed over 95,000 individuals across the region.
The data comes from the European Video Game Industry Insights Report, a joint publication by the European Games Development Association (EGDF) and Video Games Europe (VGA). The report is based on information gathered throughout 2024, a timeline dictated by the time‑intensive process of data collection and verification.
Each of the 28 EGDF member organisations first compiled its own national statistics, which were then merged to create a comprehensive picture of the EU’s gaming ecosystem. While the overall talent pool showed signs of stagnation—meaning the net increase in skilled workers slowed considerably—the sector still managed to expand its infrastructure.
The number of active studios rose between five and ten percent during the year, indicating that new companies are still being founded even as the labour market tightens. Nations such as Finland, Italy, and the Czech Republic continued to register modest but steady increases in both staff numbers and studio openings, suggesting that localized pockets of growth remain resilient. Poland emerged as the clear leader in terms of employment, boasting the largest workforce dedicated to game development and publishing within the European Union. Polish studios also topped the chart for new releases, delivering 450 fresh titles in 2024 alone.
The United Kingdom, another major hub, reported a workforce of 28,516 people engaged in various stages of game creation, from design and programming to marketing and distribution. The 2024 edition of the report also marked a milestone by incorporating data from two countries that had not previously been featured: Bulgaria and Cyprus. Cyprus, despite its relatively small size, generated €4.3 billion in revenue and was highlighted as the principal revenue‑driven hub of the region.
Bulgaria, on the other hand, was praised for its strategic position as a regional centre surrounded by a rich talent pool from neighbouring Romania and Türkiye, making it an important node in the broader European gaming network. The EGDF commented on the findings, emphasizing that the sector has managed to sustain growth in several key markets despite a challenging macro‑economic environment. "The report demonstrates that despite challenging times, industry growth continued in several countries, in both revenue and the number of studios, lifting both indicators at the European level," the association noted. This sentiment underscores the sector’s adaptability, with many studios diversifying their portfolios, exploring emerging technologies such as cloud gaming and virtual reality, and seeking new distribution channels to reach global audiences.
However, the report also warned of underlying headwinds. It highlighted a wave of layoffs, corporate consolidations, and a modest decline in employment figures in certain jurisdictions.
For the first time since systematic tracking began, some EU countries experienced a slight dip in the number of people working in the industry. These setbacks were attributed to a combination of factors, including rising production costs, tighter financing conditions, and heightened competition from both established global players and fast‑growing indie developers. Looking ahead, industry analysts suggest that the European gaming landscape will likely continue to evolve along several fronts. First, the talent shortage may prompt greater investment in education and training programmes, with universities and specialised bootcamps expanding curricula to cover areas like AI‑driven game design, procedural content generation, and cross‑platform development.
Second, the rise of service‑based business models—such as games‑as‑a‑service (GaaS) and subscription platforms—could reshape revenue streams, encouraging studios to focus on long‑term player engagement rather than one‑off sales. Third, policy makers across the EU are expected to refine incentive schemes, including tax credits and grant programmes, to attract foreign investment while supporting home‑grown creators. In summary, the 2024 European Video Game Industry Insights Report paints a picture of a sector that is both robust and nuanced. Revenue continues to climb, studio numbers are on the rise, and certain markets like Poland and the United Kingdom remain employment powerhouses.
At the same time, the industry faces genuine challenges in the form of talent stagnation, occasional layoffs, and market consolidation. The coming years will test the sector’s capacity to innovate, upskill its workforce, and adapt to shifting consumer preferences, but the data suggests that Europe’s gaming ecosystem remains a vibrant and increasingly influential component of the global entertainment economy.