ReportInteractive Software Federation of Europe
Europe's Video Game Industry: Key Facts 2020
1 Jan 202020 pages~14 min full read
The European video game market reached €21.6 billion in 2019, marking a 3% year-on-year increase and a 55% total growth since 2014.
Digital ecosystems dominate the market, accounting for 76% of total revenue, with 66% of that online income derived specifically from in-game extras and downloadable content.
Hardware revenue is split primarily between consoles at 43% and mobile/tablet devices at 40%.
The European player base is 51% of the population aged 6 to 64, with an average age of 31 and a gender split of 55% male and 45% female.
Engagement remains consistent across age groups, with 31% of individuals aged 45 to 64 identifying as active gamers.
Industry-led responsible gaming initiatives are widespread, with 85% of parents establishing spending agreements with children and 67% utilizing PEGI age-rating labels.
The sector is actively expanding into education, having trained over 4,000 teachers across 73 countries through the Games in Schools project to integrate gaming into pedagogical frameworks.
The European video games industry experienced steady growth in 2019, reaching a total market turnover of €21.6 billion. This represents a 3% year-on-year increase and a 55% rise since 2014 across key markets. Revenue is increasingly driven by digital ecosystems, with online and app-based income accounting for 76% of the market, while physical sales represent 24%. Within the online segment, 66% of revenue is generated through in-game extras and downloadable content. Console gaming remains the leading hardware category by revenue at 43%, closely followed by mobile and tablets at 40%.
Demographic data indicates that 51% of the European population aged 6 to 64 plays video games, with an average player age of 31. While engagement is highest among younger cohorts, 31% of those aged 45 to 64 are active players. Gender representation is nearly balanced, as women make up 45% of the player base and over half of all mobile gamers. On average, European players spend 8.6 hours per week gaming, significantly less than the time spent on social media or television.
The industry maintains a strong focus on responsible gameplay through the PEGI age rating system, which is active in over 35 countries. Approximately 67% of parents are aware of these labels, and 85% have established agreements with their children regarding in-game spending. Beyond consumer protection, the sector is expanding its educational footprint. Initiatives like the Games in Schools project, conducted with European Schoolnet, have trained over 4,000 teachers across 73 countries to integrate commercial games into pedagogical frameworks.
Data for these findings was primarily extrapolated from the 2019 GameTrack and Newzoo reports, utilizing surveys and sales tracking across major European territories including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The scope covers the 2019 calendar year while acknowledging the emerging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on 2020 industry trends.
