The European video‑game market posted a combined revenue of €24 billion in 2024, supported by more than 6,600 development studios that together employ upwards of 95,000 individuals. These figures come from the European Video Game Industry Insights Report, a collaborative publication of the European Games Development Association (EGDF) and Video Games Europe (VGA).
The report is based on data collected throughout 2024, a timeline dictated by the need for each of the 28 EGDF member organisations to first compile national statistics before they are merged into a comprehensive European overview. Even though the overall expansion of the talent pool across Europe has begun to level off, the number of active studios continued to rise, showing an increase ranging between five and ten percent during the year.
Nations such as Finland, Italy and the Czech Republic demonstrated modest but steady growth in their employment figures, indicating that new studios are still being launched and existing ones are scaling up their teams. Poland emerged as the leading hub for both employment and output within the EU. Polish developers and publishers together accounted for the highest number of workers in the sector, and the country also led the continent in the launch of new titles, with 450 fresh releases recorded in 2024.
The United Kingdom followed closely behind, with a total gaming workforce of 28,516 professionals, underscoring its position as a major European player. The 2024 edition of the report also marked the first inclusion of two smaller markets: Bulgaria and Cyprus. Cyprus, despite its modest size, generated €4.3 billion in turnover and was highlighted as the primary revenue‑driven hub for the region.
Bulgaria, on the other hand, was praised for its strategic location and role as an important regional centre that benefits from proximity to talent pools in Romania and Türkiye. The EGDF emphasized that, despite a backdrop of economic uncertainty, the industry managed to sustain growth in several key countries, both in terms of revenue generation and the establishment of new studios.
This dual‑track progress helped lift the overall European metrics, reinforcing the sector’s resilience. Nevertheless, the report also flagged a number of challenges that temper the optimistic outlook. Across the continent, companies have been forced to implement layoffs, pursue mergers and experience a modest decline in employment levels in certain markets. For the first time since systematic data collection began, some countries reported a slight dip in workforce numbers, signalling the onset of a contraction phase that could have longer‑term implications if not addressed.
To put these numbers into perspective, the €24 billion turnover represents a significant share of Europe’s creative economy, rivaling traditional entertainment sectors such as film and music. The increase in studio count, even amid a stagnant talent pool, suggests that many firms are opting for leaner, more agile development models, possibly leveraging remote work, outsourcing, or specialised niche production to stay competitive. The inclusion of Bulgaria and Cyprus expands the geographical map of Europe’s gaming ecosystem, hinting at a decentralisation trend where smaller economies can carve out influential niches. Cyprus’s impressive revenue performance, for instance, may be driven by a combination of favorable tax regimes, strong investment in digital infrastructure, and a growing community of indie developers targeting global audiences.
Poland’s dominance in both employment and title output reflects a mature ecosystem supported by a robust educational pipeline, government incentives, and a vibrant startup culture. The country’s ability to sustain a high volume of releases—450 in a single year—demonstrates not only production capacity but also a deep understanding of international market demands.
In the United Kingdom, the workforce figure of 28,516 underscores the sector’s importance to the national economy, especially as the UK continues to attract foreign investment and talent post‑Brexit. The UK’s strong presence also benefits from its long‑standing reputation for high‑quality game design and a well‑established network of publishers, distributors, and ancillary service providers. Looking ahead, industry stakeholders are urged to address the emerging employment stagnation by investing in training programmes, fostering cross‑border collaboration, and encouraging diversity in hiring practices.
By doing so, Europe can mitigate the risk of talent shortages and maintain the momentum that has driven the sector’s impressive revenue growth. In summary, the 2024 European Video Game Industry Insights Report paints a picture of a sector that is financially robust and geographically expanding, yet simultaneously facing headwinds related to workforce dynamics.
The continued rise in studio numbers, combined with strong revenue performance in both established and emerging markets, suggests that Europe’s gaming industry remains a vital and evolving component of the continent’s digital economy.