In 2024 the European video‑game market demonstrated remarkable financial strength, delivering a total turnover of roughly €24 billion. This impressive figure was generated by more than 6,600 development studios spread across the continent, which together employed in excess of 95,000 individuals working in design, programming, art, publishing, marketing and related support functions. These numbers come from the European Video Game Industry Insights Report, a joint publication produced by the European Games Development Association (EGDF) and Video Games Europe (VGA).
Because the report relies on data that must be collected, verified and aggregated at the national level, it reflects the situation as it stood in 2024 rather than the current calendar year. The process begins with each of the 28 EGDF member organisations preparing a detailed national snapshot; those individual submissions are then merged into a single European overview. One of the most striking observations in the report is the divergence between two key indicators of sector health.
While the overall pool of talent – measured by the net increase in people employed in game‑related roles – showed a noticeable slowdown, the number of active studios continued to rise, expanding by somewhere between five and ten percent over the previous year. In practical terms, this means that more companies are entering the market, but they are often smaller or leaner, employing fewer staff on average than their predecessors.
The data also highlight regional variations. Nations such as Finland, Italy and the Czech Republic recorded modest but steady growth in their employment figures, suggesting that local ecosystems are still able to attract and retain skilled workers. Poland stands out as the biggest employer in the EU gaming landscape, both in terms of head‑count and output.
Polish studios collectively hired the largest number of professionals and also released the highest volume of new titles, with 450 games launched during the year. The United Kingdom, another major hub, reported a workforce of 28,516 people, placing it firmly among the top three European markets. Two countries made their debut in the 2024 edition of the report: Bulgaria and Cyprus.
Cyprus, despite its relatively small size, generated €4.3 billion in revenue and was described by the authors as the "main game industry hub in terms of combined revenue" for the region. Bulgaria, meanwhile, earned recognition as an "important regional hub surrounded by key European game industry talent" – a nod to its strategic location next to Romania and Turkey, both of which are emerging as notable sources of skilled developers and artists.
The EGDF emphasized that the figures illustrate a resilient sector that can continue to grow even in the face of broader economic headwinds. "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 wrote. This sentiment underscores the idea that while some markets may be experiencing short‑term setbacks, the overall trajectory remains upward.
Nevertheless, the report also warns of underlying pressures. It points to a wave of layoffs, corporate consolidations and a modest decline in employment in certain jurisdictions – the first measurable dip in staff numbers since systematic tracking began. These developments suggest that while revenue streams are robust, the sector is undergoing a period of restructuring, with larger players potentially absorbing smaller studios or streamlining operations to improve efficiency. To put the numbers into perspective, consider the average size of a European studio in 2024.
With 6,600 studios employing more than 95,000 people, the mean staff count per studio hovers around 14‑15 employees. This figure indicates a landscape dominated by small‑to‑medium enterprises, many of which operate as indie developers or boutique firms focused on niche genres, mobile experiences, or innovative gameplay mechanics.
The prevalence of such agile companies helps explain why the total number of studios can rise even when the overall workforce plateaus – new entrants often start with lean teams before scaling up. The report also sheds light on the types of games that are driving revenue growth. While the data does not break down genre‑specific earnings, industry analysts note that live‑service titles, multiplayer online games and mobile applications continue to command a large share of consumer spending. At the same time, the rise of cloud gaming and cross‑platform distribution is opening new channels for European developers to reach global audiences, further boosting turnover.
Looking ahead, stakeholders are calling for policies that support talent development, such as increased funding for game‑design education, apprenticeship schemes and incentives for research and development. By strengthening the pipeline of skilled professionals, the EU can mitigate the stagnation observed in the talent base and ensure that the growth in studio numbers translates into sustainable employment opportunities.
In summary, the 2024 European Video Game Industry Insights Report paints a picture of a vibrant, revenue‑rich sector that is expanding its footprint through a growing number of studios, even as it grapples with workforce challenges. Poland and the United Kingdom remain the largest employers, while emerging hubs like Cyprus and Bulgaria are beginning to make their mark. The data suggest that, with the right strategic support, Europe’s gaming ecosystem is well‑positioned to maintain its momentum and continue delivering both creative and economic value in the years to come.