The 2022 European Key Facts report provides a comprehensive overview of the video game sector across Europe, emphasizing its cultural, creative, and technological significance. Produced by Video Games Europe in collaboration with the European Games Developer Federation, the publication serves as a primary resource for understanding the industry's economic footprint, demographic reach, and commitment to responsible gameplay standards.
The data reveals a robust and expanding market, with 53% of the European population aged 6 to 64 engaging with video games. The player base grew by 1.4% between 2021 and 2022, with an average player age of 32. Notably, the vast majority of these players—76%—are adults between the ages of 18 and 64. Economically, the industry remains a significant contributor to the European labor market, employing 110,000 professionals across diverse technical and creative roles, including programming, design, production, and audio. In 2022, the industry generated €24.5 billion in revenue across five key European markets.
Beyond economic metrics, the report highlights the industry’s focus on consumer safety and ethical standards. The Pan European Game Information (PEGI) rating system remains a cornerstone of this effort, having rated over 8,000 games in 2022. Awareness of these age labels is high, with 67% of parents and 73% of players recognizing the system. The findings underscore a broader industry commitment to fostering safe, responsible, and transparent gaming environments through established codes of conduct, parental control tools, and collaborative safety initiatives.