In 2024 the European video‑game market demonstrated remarkable economic strength, delivering a total turnover of roughly €24 billion. This figure reflects the combined revenues of more than 6,600 development studios operating across the continent, which together employ a workforce that now exceeds 95,000 individuals.
The data comes from the European Video Game Industry Insights Report, a collaborative publication produced by the European Games Development Association (EGDF) together with Video Games Europe (VGA). The report is based on information gathered throughout 2024, although the timing of data collection means that the figures were compiled after the calendar year had ended.
Each of the 28 EGDF member organisations first produced a national‑level analysis, which was then merged into a single, Europe‑wide dataset. This methodology ensures that local nuances are captured while still providing a coherent picture of the sector as a whole. One of the most striking observations from the study is that, despite a noticeable slowdown in the growth of the continent’s talent pool, the number of active studios continued to rise.
Between five and ten percent more studios were operating in 2024 than in the previous year, indicating that new entrants are still finding opportunities even in a market where hiring has become more cautious. Countries such as Finland, Italy, and the Czech Republic exemplified this trend, each reporting modest yet steady increases in the size of their development teams. Poland emerged as the clear leader in terms of human resources, employing the largest number of game‑development and publishing professionals within the EU.
Polish studios also produced the highest volume of new titles, with 450 releases recorded during the year. The United Kingdom followed closely behind in workforce terms, with a total of 28,516 people working in the industry, underscoring the UK’s continued relevance as a major hub for both creation and distribution. The 2024 edition of the report also marked the first inclusion of two smaller markets: Bulgaria and Cyprus.
Cyprus, although modest in size, generated an impressive €4.3 billion in turnover, earning the description of the "main game industry hub in terms of combined revenue" among the surveyed nations. Bulgaria, on the other hand, 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, both of which host significant pools of skilled developers. The EGDF interpreted the findings as evidence that, even in the face of challenging economic conditions, the European gaming sector managed to sustain growth in several key areas. Revenue streams rose in a number of countries, and the proliferation of studios helped to lift overall industry metrics at the continental level.
However, the report also cautioned that the sector is not immune to headwinds. Layoffs, corporate consolidations, and a general decline in employment levels were reported in certain markets, leading to a stagnation—or even a slight dip—in workforce numbers for the first time since systematic tracking began. These mixed signals suggest a sector at a crossroads. On the one hand, the continued expansion of studio numbers points to a healthy pipeline of new ideas, entrepreneurial ventures, and potential for future innovation.
On the other hand, the slowdown in talent acquisition and the emergence of employment contractions indicate that companies are becoming more selective, perhaps focusing on efficiency, higher‑value projects, or strategic partnerships to weather economic uncertainty. Looking ahead, industry stakeholders are likely to monitor several trends closely. The rise of remote work and cross‑border collaboration could mitigate talent shortages, allowing studios in one country to tap into expertise located elsewhere in Europe.
Additionally, investment in emerging technologies—such as cloud gaming, virtual reality, and AI‑driven content creation—may open new revenue streams and demand fresh skill sets, potentially revitalising hiring momentum. Policymakers and trade bodies also have a role to play.
By fostering supportive regulatory environments, offering tax incentives, and investing in education and training programmes tailored to game development, they can help sustain the talent pipeline that underpins the sector’s growth. The inclusion of Bulgaria and Cyprus in the latest report underscores the importance of recognizing and nurturing smaller but strategically positioned markets, which can serve as bridges between larger hubs and the broader European ecosystem. In summary, the European video‑game industry in 2024 delivered €24 billion in turnover, supported by more than 6,600 studios and a workforce of over 95,000 people. While the talent base’s expansion has slowed and some regions experienced employment declines, the overall landscape remains dynamic, with new studios emerging and several countries—particularly Poland, the United Kingdom, Finland, Italy, and the Czech Republic—showing continued vitality.
The sector’s future will likely hinge on how effectively it can balance consolidation pressures with the need for fresh talent, technological advancement, and supportive policy frameworks.