adminThe EU games industry recorded €24 billion in combined turnover in 2024, with more than 6,600 studios and a workforce exceeding 95,000. The figures point to continued growth in studio numbers and revenue, even as employment growth slowed in parts of Europe.
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EU games industry: key figures for 2024
These figures come from the European Video Game Industry Insights Report, published by the European Games Development Association (EGDF) and Video Games Europe (VGA). The report uses 2024 data, reflecting the time required to collect and consolidate information from participating countries.
- Combined turnover: €24 billion
- Studios: More than 6,600
- Workforce: More than 95,000 people
- Studio growth: An increase of between 5% and 10% during the year
The EGDF’s 28 members first prepare individual reports, which are then combined into national data. Because the figures take time to compile, they describe the industry in 2024 rather than providing a real-time snapshot. Readers comparing these results with later reports should check which year each dataset covers.
Studio numbers rose as employment growth slowed
The number of game studios increased by 5% to 10% in 2024, while growth in the industry’s talent base largely stalled. Finland, Italy and Czechia were among the countries that still recorded modest employment growth.
The report also noted that layoffs, company consolidations and falling employment affected some national markets. These changes contributed to stagnant workforce figures or small declines in certain countries. As a result, studio growth and employment growth did not move in step across the region.
For anyone assessing the sector, the distinction matters: a rising studio count does not automatically mean that total employment is increasing. Turnover, studio numbers and workforce size each offer a different view of the industry.
Poland, the UK and newly included markets
Poland had the largest game development and publishing workforce in the EU, and it released the most new titles, at 450. The UK workforce reached 28,516, a figure reported separately from the EU total.
The 2024 report included Bulgaria and Cyprus for the first time. Cyprus recorded €4.3 billion in turnover and was described in the report as a leading game-industry hub in terms of combined revenue. Bulgaria was identified as an important regional hub, with game-industry talent in neighbouring Romania and Türkiye contributing to the wider regional picture.
The addition of countries can affect comparisons between reports. When using these figures for research or business planning, check whether the same countries and measures are included across the years being compared.
What the figures suggest about the EU games industry
The EGDF said that growth in revenue and studio numbers in several countries lifted both indicators at the European level, despite difficult conditions. At the same time, workforce stagnation and declines in some markets show that the gains were not evenly shared.
Overall, the EU games industry generated €24 billion in 2024 and expanded its studio base, while employment remained a key area to watch. The report’s separate measures provide useful context for understanding where the sector grew and where challenges persisted.
