The European video‑game market posted a combined revenue of €24 billion in the fiscal year 2024, and the ecosystem now comprises more than 6,600 development studios that collectively employ upwards of 95,000 individuals. These figures come 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, which reflects data compiled for 2024, is the product of a two‑stage data‑gathering process: first, each of the 28 EGDF member organisations prepares a national‑level analysis, and then those individual studies are merged to form a continent‑wide picture.
While the overall headcount of skilled professionals in the sector showed signs of stagnation, the number of active studios continued to expand, registering a growth rate that ranged between five and ten percent over the course of the year. This modest but steady increase was evident in several key markets. Finland, for instance, maintained a healthy pipeline of new studios and saw its employment figures edge upward.
Italy likewise reported a small rise in both the quantity of development houses and the number of people working in them. The Czech Republic (Czechia) followed a similar trajectory, adding new firms to its already vibrant ecosystem and providing additional jobs for local talent. Poland emerged as the clear leader in terms of workforce size.
Polish studios and publishers together employed the largest share of the European gaming labour pool, and the country also led the continent in the number of new titles released, with a total of 450 games launched in 2024. The United Kingdom, another major hub, recorded a workforce of 28,516 individuals, underscoring its continued relevance as a centre for both development and publishing activities.
The 2024 edition of the report also marked the first time that two smaller economies—Bulgaria and Cyprus—were included in the analysis. Cyprus, despite its modest population, generated €4.3 billion in turnover, a figure that positioned the island nation as the "main game industry hub in terms of combined revenue" among the newly added members. Bulgaria, on the other hand, was highlighted as an "important regional hub surrounded by key European game industry talent" from neighbouring Romania and Türkiye, indicating its growing role as a bridge between established markets and emerging talent pools. According to the EGDF, the data illustrate that, even in a period characterised by economic uncertainty and structural challenges, the European gaming sector managed to sustain growth across several dimensions.
Revenue streams continued to rise in a number of countries, and the creation of new studios helped to offset some of the pressures facing the industry. This dual‑track advancement—higher earnings coupled with an expanding base of development firms—contributed to an overall uplift in the sector’s performance at the continental level.
Nevertheless, the report does not shy away from acknowledging the darker side of the picture. It notes that a wave of layoffs, corporate consolidations, and a gradual decline in employment levels have begun to take a toll in certain regions. For the first time since systematic monitoring began, some countries experienced a slight dip in the number of people employed in game‑related roles. This contraction signals that while revenue and studio counts may be on an upward trajectory, the labour market remains vulnerable to macro‑economic shocks, shifts in consumer spending, and the increasing cost pressures associated with high‑quality game production.
The findings suggest that policymakers and industry bodies need to focus on creating a more resilient talent pipeline. Initiatives such as expanded vocational training, university programmes tailored to interactive media, and cross‑border collaboration schemes could help to mitigate the risk of future employment declines.
Moreover, the continued diversification of the European market—evident in the inclusion of Bulgaria and Cyprus—highlights the importance of supporting emerging hubs that can attract investment, nurture local expertise, and contribute to the overall health of the ecosystem. In summary, the 2024 European Video Game Industry Insights Report paints a nuanced portrait of a sector that is simultaneously thriving and facing headwinds. With €24 billion in turnover, more than 6,600 studios, and a workforce exceeding 95,000, the industry demonstrates robust economic significance.
At the same time, the emergence of layoffs and employment stagnation serves as a reminder that sustainable growth will depend on strategic interventions aimed at bolstering the talent pipeline and fostering stability across all regions of the European gaming landscape.