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 region, collectively employing a workforce that now exceeds 95,000 individuals.
The data originates from the European Video Game Industry Insights Report, a joint publication produced by the European Games Development Association (EGDF) together with Video Games Europe (VGA). The report, which reflects the most recent full‑year statistics available, is compiled through a multi‑stage process. First, each of the 28 EGDF member countries prepares its own detailed national survey, outlining revenue, studio counts, employment levels and other key performance indicators.
Those individual submissions are then aggregated, harmonised and analysed to produce a single, Europe‑wide snapshot of the sector’s health for the year in question. Because of the time required to gather and verify the data, the 2024 edition was released in early 2025, but it remains the most authoritative source for understanding the current state of the industry. One of the headline insights from the study is that, despite a noticeable slowdown in the expansion of the talent pool, the number of active game‑development studios continued to climb.
Depending on the country, studio growth ranged from a modest 5 % to a robust 10 % increase over the previous year. This suggests that while fewer new employees are being hired overall, existing companies are either scaling up or new, often smaller, studios are being founded, thereby diversifying the ecosystem. Countries such as Finland, Italy and the Czech Republic exemplified this trend, each reporting steady gains in both staff numbers and studio openings.
Poland emerged as the clear leader in terms of sheer employment volume. Polish firms collectively employed the highest number of game‑development and publishing professionals within the European Union, and they also produced the greatest number of new titles, tallying 450 releases in 2024. The United Kingdom, another major hub, recorded a workforce of 28,516 people, placing it firmly among the top contributors to the continent’s overall employment figures. The 2024 edition of the report also marked the first inclusion of two previously unrepresented markets: Bulgaria and Cyprus.
Cyprus, despite its relatively small size, generated €4.3 billion in turnover, earning the distinction of being the “main game‑industry hub in terms of combined revenue” among the new entrants. Bulgaria, on the other hand, was highlighted as an “important regional hub surrounded by key European game‑industry talent” with strong ties to neighbouring talent pools in Romania and Türkiye. These acknowledgements underline the growing importance of smaller economies in the broader European gaming landscape, as they increasingly attract investment, nurture local talent and contribute to cross‑border collaborations. The EGDF’s commentary on the findings paints a nuanced picture.
On the one hand, the organization notes 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.” This optimism is grounded in the fact that, even as some markets faced headwinds, others managed to expand their revenue bases and launch new development houses, thereby offsetting localized downturns. On the other hand, the report does not shy away from acknowledging the sector’s difficulties. It points out that layoffs, corporate consolidations and a general decline in employment levels have caused stagnation in several regions, and for the first time in the sector’s recent history, a handful of countries experienced a slight dip in overall employment.
This contraction reflects broader economic pressures, including rising production costs, tighter financing conditions and the lingering effects of supply‑chain disruptions that have affected many creative industries. Looking ahead, analysts suggest that the European gaming industry may need to focus on talent development and retention to sustain its growth trajectory. Initiatives such as expanded university programmes, apprenticeship schemes and public‑private partnerships could help replenish the talent pipeline that appears to be flattening.
Moreover, the continued rise of indie studios and the increasing accessibility of development tools may further democratise entry into the market, potentially offsetting the slowdown in traditional hiring patterns. In summary, the 2024 European Video Game Industry Insights Report confirms that the continent’s gaming sector remains a vibrant and financially significant part of the broader digital economy. With €24 billion in turnover, over 6,600 active studios and a workforce that now tops 95,000, the industry continues to generate jobs, foster creativity and attract investment across a diverse set of countries. While challenges such as employment stagnation and occasional layoffs persist, the overall outlook remains positive, driven by studio proliferation, emerging regional hubs like Bulgaria and Cyprus, and the enduring popularity of video games among European consumers.