The European video‑game market posted a combined revenue of €24 billion in 2024, supported by more than 6,600 development studios that collectively employed over 95,000 individuals. These figures come from the European Video Game Industry Insights Report, a joint publication of the European Games Development Association (EGDF) and Video Games Europe (VGA).
The report, which reflects data gathered throughout 2024, is the result of a coordinated effort: each of the 28 EGDF member organisations first compiled national‑level statistics, which were then merged to produce a comprehensive European overview. While the overall talent pool across Europe showed signs of stagnation—meaning the rate of new hires and the expansion of existing workforces slowed—the sector nevertheless saw a noticeable rise in the number of active studios. Between five and ten percent more game‑development companies were operating in 2024 compared with the previous year.
This modest but steady increase was most evident in nations such as Finland, Italy, and the Czech Republic, where employment figures continued to inch upward despite broader market headwinds. Poland emerged as the continent’s leading hub for both employment and output. The country not only employed the largest number of professionals in game creation and publishing but also launched the highest count of new titles, tallying 450 releases during the year. The United Kingdom followed with a sizable workforce of 28,516 people, underscoring its long‑standing position as a key player in the European gaming ecosystem.
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 within the region. Bulgaria, on the other hand, was praised for its strategic location and its role as an important regional centre, benefitting from proximity to talent pools in Romania and Türkiye.
Commentary from the EGDF emphasized the mixed nature of the year’s results. "The report demonstrates 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," the association noted. At the same time, the organization warned that the sector faced headwinds in the form of layoffs, company consolidations, and a slight decline in employment in a handful of markets. This represented the first measurable dip in employment across the European gaming sector since systematic data collection began.
To put these numbers into perspective, the €24 billion turnover represents a solid performance when compared with previous years, especially given the broader economic uncertainty that has affected many creative industries. The increase in studio count suggests that entrepreneurs and investors remain confident in the region’s capacity for innovation, even if hiring rates have plateaued. In practical terms, a higher number of studios can translate into a more diverse portfolio of games, ranging from indie experiments to large‑scale AAA productions, thereby enriching the cultural output of the European market.
The report also sheds light on the geographic distribution of talent and revenue. While Western Europe continues to host many of the continent’s flagship studios, Eastern European nations such as Poland, the Czech Republic, and Bulgaria are rapidly closing the gap, offering competitive development costs, skilled workforces, and supportive government policies. This shift is encouraging for policymakers who aim to attract further investment and nurture home‑grown talent.
Looking ahead, industry stakeholders are urged to address the employment stagnation by investing in education, upskilling programs, and initiatives that encourage diversity and inclusion within the sector. By bolstering the talent pipeline, Europe can sustain its growth trajectory and potentially reverse the slight employment decline observed in 2024.
In summary, the 2024 European games industry landscape is characterized by robust revenue generation, a growing number of development studios, and a workforce that, while currently stable, shows early signs of contraction in certain regions. The inclusion of new markets like Bulgaria and Cyprus broadens the continent’s gaming map and highlights emerging opportunities. As the sector navigates the twin challenges of market volatility and talent retention, the data suggests that Europe remains a vibrant and increasingly diversified hub for video‑game creation and publishing.