The European games industry generated a combined turnover of €24 billion in 2024, with over 6,600 studios employing more than 95,000 people.
That’s according to the European Video Game Industry Insights Report, published by the European Games Development Association (EGDF) and Video Games Europe (VGA).
The report reflects 2024 data due to compilation timelines. The 28 EGDF members first prepare individual reports, which are then consolidated into national data.
While the growth in the continent’s talent base stalled, the number of studios increased by 5% to 10% in 2024. For example, countries like Finland, Italy, and Czechia continued to see modest growth in their employment bases.
Poland employed the most people in game development and publishing in the EU and published the most new titles, at 450. In the UK, the workforce reached 28,516.
The 2024 report also included Bulgaria and Cyprus for the first time. Cyprus generated €4.3 billion in turnover and was described as the “main game industry hub in terms of combined revenue.”
Bulgaria was recognised as an “important regional hub surrounded by key European game industry talent” from Romania and Türkiye.
“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 EGDF noted.
“However, layoffs, consolidations, and declining employment led to stagnation and, in some countries, a small decrease in employment – the first such dip in the sector for the first time.”