The Average Age of Gamers in Germany Rises to Over 38 for the First Time

The average age of video game players in Germany has surpassed 38 for the first time, reaching 38.2 years in 2023. This represents a four-month increase over the previous year and a significant rise from the average age of 33.6 recorded a decade ago. The findings indicate that gaming is increasingly a cross-generational activity, with only one-fifth of the German gaming population currently under the age of 18.

A primary driver of this demographic shift is the sustained engagement of older players, particularly those who began gaming in the 1980s and 1990s and have continued the hobby into adulthood. Furthermore, the "silver player" segment—individuals aged 60 and older—is experiencing rapid growth, with an additional 300,000 players added to this cohort within a single year, bringing the total to 6.4 million. Overall, approximately 60 percent of the German population engages with video games, with a gender split of 52 percent male and 48 percent female.

These insights are derived from market research conducted by Consumer Panel Services GfK and data.ai. The methodology utilizes an ongoing, representative survey of 25,000 German consumers regarding their purchasing and usage habits, supplemented by retail panel data. By highlighting these trends, the industry demonstrates that the perception of gaming as a medium exclusively for children and youth is outdated, as the vast majority of players—roughly 78 percent—are now adults.