Gaming is one of the most popular and cherished activities among people worldwide. Today, the gaming market is worth billions and is considered one of the largest markets in the entertainment industry. The number of gamers keeps on rising every year driven by various factors due to gaming device availability, diversity in genres, easy accessibility, and more. In fact, by 2027, the gaming industry is expected to reach $522 billion. This has led many people to wonder how many gamers are there.
Well, there were 3.220 billion gamers globally in 2023, and the gamer number is expected to reach 3.320 billion by the end of 2024. In this article, we are going to take an in-depth look at the statistics of gamers such as the type of gamers, demographics, platforms, largest gaming nation, and more. So, let’s get started.
Top Statistics of Gamers in 2024
- As of 2023, there were 3.220 billion gamers worldwide.
- The number of gamers worldwide is predicted to reach 3.320 billion by the end of 2024.
- Asia has the highest number of gamers 1.48 billion followed by Europe with 715 million.
- 55% of the gamers are males in the United States.
- 45% of the gamers are female gamers in the United States.
- Game developers consider the PC as their favorite gaming platform.
- 66% of gamers worldwide play video games for relaxation.
- There are more than 3,000 esports players in the United States.
- As of 2023, the gaming industry reached a revenue of $90 billion in the US.
- 618 million gamers across the world are aged below 18.
How Many Gamers Are There?
In 2023, the number of Gamers worldwide was 3.220 billion and according to experts, the number is likely to reach 3.320 billion by the end of 2024. Below we have mentioned a table showcasing the number of gamers globally from 2015 to 2024:
| Year | Number of Gamers |
| 2015 | 2.030 billion |
| 2016 | 2.170 billion |
| 2017 | 2.330 billion |
| 2018 | 2.490 billion |
| 2019 | 2.640 billion |
| 2020 | 2.810 billion |
| 2021 | 2.960 billion |
| 2022 | 3.090 billion |
| 2023 | 3.220 billion |
| 2024 | 3.320 billion |
Increase in the Number of Gamers from 2016 to 2024
Each year there has been a significant growth in the number of gamers worldwide. The highest growth in gamers number took place in 2020 with 0.170 billion, the pandemic being one of the major reasons behind this growth. Below we have mentioned a table showcasing the increase in gamers number over the previous year:
| Year | Increase Over The Previous Year |
| 2016 | 0.140 billion |
| 2017 | 0.160 billion |
| 2018 | 0.160 billion |
| 2019 | 0.150 billion |
| 2020 | 0.170 billion |
| 2021 | 0.150 billion |
| 2022 | 0.130 billion |
| 2023 | 0.130 billion |
| 2024 | 0.1 billion |
Preference of Gamers
3.2 billion people around the world are today playing games on their Smartphones, PC, Playstation, etc devices. However, the reason behind each gamer is often different as some just want to relax, unwind, or decompress, while some just want to be entertained, etc. Below we have mentioned a table showcasing different reasons behind gamers to provide you with a better idea of why people virtual gamers are so high in demand:
| Reason | Number of Gamers | Percentage |
| Relaxation and unwinding | 2.04 billion | 66% |
| Fill time while taking a break, waiting or commuting | 1.61 billion | 52% |
| Entertainment | 1.58 billion | 51% |
| Alone time with yourself | 1.48 billion | 48% |
| Solve a problem, use my brain and think logically | 1.14 billion | 37% |
| Be comforted | 0.99 billion | 32% |
As we can see, relaxation is the leading reason with 66%.
Distribution of gamers based on the type of games
There are a wide number of gaming types available in the market out of which Casual games are considered as the leading game type among gamers with 63%. Followed by Action games as the second most-loved choice among gamers with 39%. Here is a table showcasing the preferences of gamers regarding different types of games:
| Types of Game | Number of Gamers | Percentage |
| Casual games | 1.95 billion | 63% |
| Action games | 1.21 billion | 39% |
| Shooter games | 1.21 billion | 39% |
| Racing games | 1.14 billion | 37% |
| Family games | 1.02 billion | 33% |
| Adventure games | 0.96 billion | 31% |
Distribution of Gamers based on Region
Asia is the leading region with the highest number of gamers 1.48 billion, followed by Europe in second place with 715 million. Below we have mentioned a table breaking down the number of gamers situated in different regions.
| 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 |
Top 7 largest gaming nations based on user penetration:
In 2022, Both Japan and the UK had an equal user penetration rate of 58%. But by 2027, the UK is predicted to be the leading gaming nation with the highest user penetration of 70% followed by Japan with 67%. Below we have mentioned a table showcasing the user penetration rate in different regions:
| 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% |
Gamers Demography Statistics
Based on a report by Statista, around 20% of the gamers population are below the age of 18 which is 618 million gamers. The largest population of gamers worldwide comes under the age group of 18 to 34 years with 1.17 billion. While there are only 7% of gamers who are above the age of 65. Below we have mentioned a table showcasing the number of gamers worldwide based on age group:
| Age Group | Number Of Gamers | Percentage % |
| Under 18 years | 618 million | 20% |
| 18 to 34 years | 1.17 billion | 38% |
| 35 to 44 years | 433 million | 14% |
| 45 to 54 years | 371 million | 12% |
| 55 to 64 years | 278 million | 9% |
| Above 65 years | 216 million | 7% |
Apart from age group, talking about the gender of gamers around 55% of the gamers in the United States are males and 45% of gamers are females. Here is a table showcasing the percentage of male gamers in the US over the years:
| Year | Percentage Of Male Gamers |
| 2006 | 62% |
| 2007 | 62% |
| 2008 | 60% |
| 2009 | 60% |
| 2010 | 60% |
| 2011 | 58% |
| 2012 | 53% |
| 2013 | 55% |
| 2014 | 52% |
| 2015 | 56% |
| 2016 | 59% |
| 2017 | 59% |
| 2018 | 55% |
| 2019 | 54% |
| 2020 | 59% |
| 2021 | 55% |
| 2022 | Less than 55% |
There are 45% of female gamers in the United States as of 2022. Below we have mentioned a table showcasing the percentage of female gamers in the US over the years:
| Year | Percentage Of Female Gamers |
| 2006 | 38% |
| 2007 | 38% |
| 2008 | 40% |
| 2009 | 40% |
| 2010 | 40% |
| 2011 | 42% |
| 2012 | 47% |
| 2013 | 45% |
| 2014 | 48% |
| 2015 | 44% |
| 2016 | 41% |
| 2017 | 41% |
| 2018 | 45% |
| 2019 | 46% |
| 2020 | 41% |
| 2021 | 45% |
| 2022 | More than 45% |
Gamers’ Statistics Based on Device
There is no surprise that smartphones are the most preferred device with 40% of the share when it comes to devices. Followed by console games, and PC games. Here is a table showcasing the most used devices among gamers:
| Device | Share In Market |
| Smartphones | 40% |
| Console Games | 28% |
| PC Games | 21% |
| Tablets Games | 9% |
| Browser PC Games | 2% |
PC is considered as the leading gaming platform among the people with 63%. Followed by PlayStation 5 with 31%, Android 30%, and iOS 30%. Below we have mentioned a table showcasing the demand for gaming platforms among gamers:
| 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% |
Distribution of countries with the highest number of internet users who have played video games in 2022
The Philippines is the country with the highest number of internet users playing video games in 2022 with 95.8% followed by Indonesia with 94.8%. Here is a table showcasing the percentage of internet users who play video games in different countries:
| Country | Internet Users Play Video Games |
| Philippines | 95.8% |
| Indonesia | 94.8% |
| Vietnam | 93.1% |
| Thailand | 93% |
| Turkey | 92.3% |
| India | 91.9% |
| Mexico | 91.3% |
| Taiwan | 91.3% |
| Saudi Arabia | 90.1% |
| South Africa | 89.7% |
| Brazil | 88.4% |
| UAE | 88.2% |
| Chile | 87.6% |
| Malaysia | 87.4% |
| Greece | 86.3% |
| Colombia | 84.8% |
| Portugal | 84.7% |
| Egypt | 83.4% |
| Romania | 83.3% |
| Hong Kong | 83.1% |
| The United States | 82.9% |
| Singapore | 81.7% |
| Poland | 80.9% |
| France | 80.8% |
| Italy | 80.6% |
| Argentina | 80.2% |
| Spain | 79.8% |
| Canada | 79.5% |
| Russia | 78.4% |
| Sweden | 78.4% |
| Israel | 78.3% |
| South Korea | 78.3% |
| Switzerland | 77.9% |
| New Zealand | 77.6% |
| Czechia | 75.9% |
| Austria | 75.5% |
| Netherlands | 75.2% |
| Australia | 75% |
| Germany | 74.6% |
| Denmark | 74.3% |
| Norway | 72.7% |
| The United Kingdom | 72.4% |
| China | 72.1% |
| Ireland | 72.1% |
| Belgium | 69.5% |
| Japan | 66.4% |
Wrapping Up
Gaming is probably one of the most loved activities among individuals as it helps them relax and get entertained by entering the virtual world. The number of gamers keeps on growing every year and with advanced technology and new methods companies keep on introducing exciting launches that keep gamers on the hook. Today, the gaming industry has become a multi-billion industry that is expected to keep on rising with absolutely no sign of decline.
