The world of gaming has exploded in recent years, becoming one of the most dynamic and influential industries globally.
From casual mobile games to intense console and PC titles, gaming has captivated billions of people, crossing age, gender, and geographic boundaries.
In fact the gaming community is expected to reach a revenue of $282 Bn by the end of 2024.
But just how many gamers are there who are responsible for achieving such remarkable numbers?
Well, As per the latest figures, there are about 3.3 billion active video gamers globally as of 2024.
In this article, we’ll delve into the latest statistics to reveal the true size of the global gaming marketing.
Whether you’re a casual player or a dedicated enthusiast, these numbers will show just how far-reaching the impact of gaming has become.
Key Gamer Stats
- Global Gaming Revenue (2024): The gaming industry is projected to generate an impressive $282 billion in revenue by the end of 2024.
- Active Video Gamers Worldwide (2024): As of 2024, the global gaming community has grown to include approximately 3.32 billion active gamers.
- Leading Esports Countries (by Active Players): The United States leads with 3,728 active esports players, followed closely by China with 2,070 players.
- Global Gamers by Region (2024): Asia dominates the gaming scene with 1.48 billion gamers, while Europe follows with 715 million players.
- Largest Gaming Nations by User Penetration (Projected by 2027): By 2027, the UK is expected to achieve 70% user penetration in gaming, with Japan close behind at 67%.
- Gamer Demographics in the US: In the US, the gaming population consists of 55% male and 45% female gamers.
- Popular Game Types Globally: Casual games are the most popular genre, engaging 63% of global gamer.
- Gamers Subscribed to Gaming Services (Global): Globally, 1.61 billion gamers, or 52% of the gaming population, are subscribed to at least one gaming service.
How Many Gamers Are There in 2024?
As of 2023, there were approximately 3.1 billion gamers globally with an year-on-year increase.This audience is rapidly growing on various platforms, including mobile, PC, and consoles.
In 2024, the global gaming community is expected to have around 3.3 billion gamers worldwide as gaming is becoming more accessible and engaging
The industry saw a significant boost during the COVID-19 pandemic, with numbers jumping from 2.54 billion in 2019 to 2.71 billion in 2020.
Number of Gamers Globally:
| Year | Number of Gamers |
| 2015 | 2.03 Billion |
| 2016 | 2.18 Billion |
| 2017 | 2.23 Billion |
| 2018 | 2.49 Billion |
| 2019 | 2.54 Billion |
| 2020 | 2.71 Billion |
| 2021 | 2.97 Billion |
| 2022 | 3.19 Billion |
| 2023 | 3.22 Billion |
| 2024 | 3.32 Billion |
Active esports competition players by country
As of the latest data, the United States has the most active esports players, with 3,728 participants.
China follows with 2,070 players, while Brazil ranks third with 1,401 competitors.
Russia and the United Kingdom round out the top ten, with 922 and 872 esports players.
| Country | Esports Players |
| US | 3,728 |
| China | 2,070 |
| Brazil | 1,401 |
| South Korea | 1,146 |
| France | 1,108 |
| Germany | 990 |
| Australia | 950 |
| Japan | 945 |
| Russia | 922 |
| UK | 872 |
Sources: VentureBeat, eSportsEarnings
Preference of Gamers
Currently, 3.2 billion people across the globe are engaged in gaming on smartphones, PCs, PlayStations, and other devices.
There are several motivating factors behind this massive gaming community. Some play to relax, unwind, or relieve stress, while others are driven by the need for entertainment and excitement.
To offer deeper insights into the rising popularity of virtual gaming, we’ve compiled a table below that outlines the various reasons why gaming has become such a widespread phenomenon.
Preference of Gamers:
67% of gamers use it to relax and unwind. Following this, 52% play for entertainment and enjoyment, while 51% use gaming to pass time during breaks, waiting, or commuting. Lastly, 31% turn to gaming for comfort.
| Reason | Number of Gamers | Percentage |
| To relax and unwind | 2.04 billion | 67% |
| To pass time during breaks, waiting, or commuting | 1.62 billion | 51% |
| For entertainment and enjoyment | 1.59 billion | 52% |
| For personal alone time | 1.49 billion | 47% |
| To challenge the mind and think logically | 1.13 billion | 38% |
| For comfort | 0.98 billion | 31% |
Distribution of Gamers based on Region
Asia leads the global gaming market with 1.48 billion gamers, reflecting its massive population and rapid growth.
Europe follows as the second-largest gaming region, with 715 million gamers.
| Region | Number of Gamers |
| Asia | 1.48 billion |
| Europe | 715 million |
| Latin America | 420 million |
| North America | 285 million |
| MENA | 168 million |
| Sub-Sahara African | 144 million |
| Oceania | 32 million |
Largest gaming nations based on user penetration:
Among the largest gaming nations, the UK is projected to see a significant increase in user penetration, from 50% in 2017 to an estimated 70% by 2027.
Japan’s gaming penetration is also rising from 53% in 2017 to a projected 67% by 2027.
Similarly, Sweden and South Korea are expected to reach 64% penetration by 2027.
| Country | 2017 | 2022 | 2027 |
| Japan | 53% | 58% | 67% |
| UK | 50% | 58% | 70% |
| Sweden | 47% | 51% | 64% |
| South Korea | 45% | 57% | 64% |
| France | 43% | – | – |
| Mexico | – | 53% | – |
| Nigeria | – | – | 63% |
Sources: Statista
Gamer Demographics In US
Approximately 53% of the gamers are male, while 45% are female.
| Gender | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Female | 45% |
| Male | 55% |
Gamer Stats by Age Group
The largest group of gamers is aged 18-34, making up 38% of the gaming population.
Younger gamers under 18 are around 600 million that account for 20%, while those aged 35-44 represent 14%.
Gamers aged 45 and older make up a smaller but still significant portion of the community of around 200 to 300 million.
| Age Group | Proportion | Number of Gamers |
| Under 18s | 20% | 617 million |
| 18-34 years | 38% | 1.16 billion |
| 35-44 years | 14% | 432 million |
| 45-54 years | 12% | 372 million |
| 55-64 years | 9% | 277 million |
| 65+ years | 7% | 217 million |
Gamer Stats by Subscriptions
1.61 billion gamers worldwide are subscribed to at least one gaming service, which accounts for 52% of the global gaming population.
In the US, 74% of console gamers and 66% of PC gamers have gaming service subscriptions.
2.29 billion console gamers and 2.04 billion PC gamers globally are likely to subscribe to gaming services.
Xbox Live has reached 100 million users globally, more than doubling its user base since 2016.
PlayStation Plus has nearly 50 million subscribers as of June 2022, with its user base more than doubling since 2016.
Sources: Morning Consult, Sony
Gamer Stats by Game Tyhpe
- Casual games are the most popular, played by 63% of gamers globally, totaling 1.95 billion players.
- Action and shooter games each attract 39% of gamers, with 1.21 billion players for each genre.
- Racing games are favored by 37% of gamers, amounting to 1.14 billion players.
- Family games engage 33% of the gaming population, with 1.02 billion players worldwide.
- Adventure games are enjoyed by 31% of gamers, with 0.96 billion players globally.
| Type of Game | Share of Respondents | Number of Gamers (Global) |
| Casual games | 63% | 1.95 billion |
| Action games | 39% | 1.21 billion |
| Shooter games | 39% | 1.21 billion |
| Racing games | 37% | 1.14 billion |
| Family games | 33% | 1.02 billion |
| Adventure games | 31% | 0.96 billion |
Source: Ipsos
Gamers’ Stats Based on Device
PC leads with 63% of game developers creating content for it. PlayStation 5 follows with 31%, while Android and iOS both have 30% developer focus.
Other platforms like Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch also have significant developer support of around 20 to 30%.
Web browsers, VR headsets, Linux, and Google Stadia see lower levels of developer focus, with percentages ranging from 10% down to 3%.
| Gaming Platform | Game Developers |
| PC | 63% |
| PlayStation 5 | 31% |
| Android | 30% |
| iOS | 30% |
| Xbox series X/S | 29% |
| Xbox One (or One X) | 22% |
| PlayStation 4 (or Pro) | 21% |
| Nintendo Switch | 20% |
| Mac | 18% |
| Web Browser | 10% |
| VR Headset | 7% |
| Linux | 3% |
| Google Stadia | 3% |
