In 2024 the European video‑game industry posted a combined turnover of roughly €24 billion, a figure that underscores the sector’s continued economic relevance on the continent. The market is now supported by more than 6,600 development studios, which together employ in excess of 95,000 individuals working in roles ranging from programming and art design to marketing and publishing. These numbers stem from the European Video Game Industry Insights Report, a joint effort by the European Games Development Association (EGDF) and Video Games Europe (VGA), which aggregates data supplied by the 28 EGDF member organisations.
The report’s methodology is worth noting: each national association first compiles its own statistics for the reference year, after which the EGDF consolidates the submissions into a single European snapshot. Because of the time required to gather, verify and harmonise the information, the 2024 edition actually reflects activity from the previous calendar year. Nevertheless, the data provide a reliable picture of the state of the industry at the close of 2023 and the early months of 2024. One of the most striking observations is the divergence between two key indicators: the talent base and the number of operating studios.
While the overall pool of skilled workers in game development appears to have stalled – meaning that the net increase in employed personnel was negligible compared to previous years – the count of active studios continued to climb, registering a growth rate that varies between five and ten percent depending on the country. This suggests that new, often smaller, studios are emerging even as larger firms face hiring freezes or modest reductions in staff.
Country‑level details illustrate the broader trend. Finland, Italy and the Czech Republic each recorded modest but positive gains in employment, indicating that their ecosystems remain attractive for both new entrants and established developers. Poland stands out as the EU’s leading employer in the sector, boasting the largest workforce among all member states. Polish studios also produced the highest number of new titles in the reporting period, with 450 releases across a diverse range of genres and platforms.
The United Kingdom, another major hub, reported a total of 28,516 people working in game creation and publishing, reinforcing its position as a key market for both domestic and international projects. The 2024 edition of the report also marked the first inclusion of two previously untracked economies: Bulgaria and Cyprus.
Cyprus, despite its relatively small size, generated €4.3 billion in turnover, a figure that the EGDF described as making the island "the main game industry hub in terms of combined revenue" within its regional context. Bulgaria, meanwhile, was highlighted as an "important regional hub surrounded by key European game industry talent" – a nod to its strategic location next to Romania and Türkiye and its growing reputation as a source of skilled developers and support services. Commentary from the EGDF emphasizes the mixed nature of the sector’s performance. On the one hand, the data demonstrate that, even in a period characterised by economic uncertainty and supply‑chain pressures, several countries managed to grow both their revenue streams and the number of active studios.
This dual expansion helped lift the overall European averages, suggesting resilience at the macro level. On the other hand, the report does not shy away from acknowledging the challenges that have emerged. Layoffs, corporate consolidations and a slight overall decline in employment were reported in a number of markets, leading to the first observable dip in staff numbers across the sector since its modern inception. These setbacks were most pronounced in regions where large publishers underwent restructuring or where smaller studios struggled to secure financing for new projects.
Looking ahead, industry observers point to several factors that could shape the next phase of growth. Continued investment in emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality and cloud‑based gaming platforms may create fresh demand for specialised talent, potentially reversing the current stagnation in the labour market.
Likewise, policy initiatives aimed at supporting start‑ups, improving access to venture capital and fostering cross‑border collaboration could encourage the formation of additional studios, further diversifying the European landscape. In summary, the 2024 European Video Game Industry Insights Report paints a nuanced picture: revenue generation remains robust at €24 billion, the number of studios continues to expand, and certain countries – notably Poland, the UK, Finland, Italy and the Czech Republic – sustain healthy employment figures. At the same time, the sector faces headwinds in the form of workforce reductions and consolidations, marking the first recorded decline in employment levels.
The inclusion of Bulgaria and Cyprus expands the geographic scope of the analysis and highlights the growing importance of smaller markets within the broader European ecosystem. As the industry adapts to evolving consumer preferences and technological advances, its ability to balance revenue growth with sustainable job creation will be a key determinant of long‑term success.