Updated Mar 17, 2026 by ESAC – Entertainment Software Association of Canada
Canada is the world's third-largest video game developer and leads globally on a per-capita basis, with the industry contributing $2.3 billion annually to the national economy.
The sector employs over 16,500 full-time workers across 329 studios, with 68% of that workforce concentrated in the 12% of firms classified as large studios.
Quebec is the industry hub with 8,750 employees, followed by British Columbia with 5,150, while Ontario’s market is defined by a high density of micro-studios focused on mobile and casual gaming.
While 84% of studios are developing for mobile platforms, console development remains the primary driver of the largest budgets and team sizes.
The average industry professional in Canada is 31 years old and earns an annual salary of $72,500.
58% of Canadians are gamers, with a demographic split of 54% men and 46% women, the latter of whom show a preference for computer-based card games, puzzles, and mobile platforms.
The ESRB rating system is highly effective, with 93% of adult gamers reporting that it assists them in making informed purchasing decisions for children.
Canada is the world's third-largest video game developer and leads globally on a per-capita basis, with the industry contributing $2.3 billion annually to the national economy.
The sector employs over 16,500 full-time workers across 329 studios, with 68% of that workforce concentrated in the 12% of firms classified as large studios.
Quebec is the industry hub with 8,750 employees, followed by British Columbia with 5,150, while Ontario’s market is defined by a high density of micro-studios focused on mobile and casual gaming.
While 84% of studios are developing for mobile platforms, console development remains the primary driver of the largest budgets and team sizes.
The average industry professional in Canada is 31 years old and earns an annual salary of $72,500.
58% of Canadians are gamers, with a demographic split of 54% men and 46% women, the latter of whom show a preference for computer-based card games, puzzles, and mobile platforms.
The ESRB rating system is highly effective, with 93% of adult gamers reporting that it assists them in making informed purchasing decisions for children.