44 Powerful Number of Gamers Stats (2025 Edition)

Online gaming is a massive industry with many different segments. It includes game developers, streaming platforms, distributors, retailers, and mobile and online games.

Today, gaming has grown into one of the largest entertainment industries in the world. In fact, it is forecasted that the global gaming market will reach $503.14 billion annually this year.

And it will continue to expand over the next few years.

To understand this growth, we will share the latest number of gamers stats, including players’ preferences and demographic details. Let’s dive in.

Top Number of Gamers Stats

The growth of online gaming is not only impressive but also provides insight into how millions of people spend their free time. As more players turn to gaming, this industry will surely grow on a global scale.

From the billions of dollars it generates each year to the increasing number of gamers worldwide, online gaming remains one of the fastest-growing sectors in entertainment.

Here are some top number of gamers stats to know the size of this industry:

1. The global gaming community now includes 3.32 billion players, growing by more than 1 billion in just eight years. By 2025, this number will reach 3.51 billion as gaming becomes easier to access across different devices.

2. The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on gaming. In 2019, there were 2.54 billion gamers worldwide. By 2020, that number had grown to 2.71 billion as more people turned to gaming for entertainment and social connection. 

3. Today, nearly two out of every five people in the world play video games.

4. China has the largest gaming market, followed closely by the United States. The industry is growing fast, with revenue expected to rise from $396 billion in 2023 to $503.14 billion in 2025.

5. North America’s gaming market is also seeing major growth. It was valued at $114.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to nearly double, reaching $205.31 billion by 2028. The Asia-Pacific region remains the highest-earning gaming market in the world.

6. Nintendo was the top gaming company by market value in November 2024, with a market cap of $65 billion. Electronic Arts (EA) ranked second at $42 billion.

7. Gaming is a huge part of daily life in the United States. 61% of Americans play games for at least an hour each week. Over the past year, 78% of households have used at least one gaming device.

8. Many players now game across multiple platforms. 19% of U.S. gamers play on mobile, PC, and console, showing a growing trend toward multi-platform gaming.

Video Game Industry Stats

Gaming is no longer a niche hobby. With around 2.6 billion gamers worldwide and games available on nearly every digital device, video gaming has now become one of the most popular forms of entertainment across all ages and backgrounds.

Here are some top statistics that show the growth and impact of the gaming industry.

9. The global video gaming industry will generate $502.08 billion in revenue by 2025. By 2027, the market is expected to grow even further, reaching $584.60 billion with an estimated 1.47 billion players worldwide.

10. User penetration is projected to be 16.9% in 2024 and will likely increase to 18.5% by 2027 as gaming becomes more accessible to a wider audience.

11. In 2023, the video game segment had an average revenue per user (ARPU) of $123.60. That same year, the total number of gamers worldwide was estimated at 1.31 billion. By 2025, this number is expected to rise to 1.37 billion and continue growing, reaching 1.47 billion in 2027—an increase of 160 million players from 2024.

12. Tencent Holdings remains the largest video game company today. In Q3 2023, the company reported $7.162 billion in revenue. Tencent, headquartered in Shenzhen, generated $32.2 billion in revenue in 2021, reflecting a 9.9% year-over-year growth.

13. Shooter and action-adventure games were the two most popular genres globally as of Q3 2024. Shooter games ranked as the most-played genre among players aged 16 to 54, while action-adventure games ranked second across most age groups.

14. As of Q3 2024, Egypt had the most engaged console gaming audience, with players spending an average of two hours and two minutes per day on gaming consoles. Saudi Arabia ranked second, with an average daily playtime of one hour and 46 minutes.

15. As of January 2025, Italian YouTuber PANDA BOI was the most popular gaming creator, with 56.3 million subscribers. Spanish gaming YouTuber Miguel Bernal Montes, known as Mikecrack, ranked second with 53.9 million subscribers.

Gamers By Region Stats

Millions of gaming players are spread across different regions. While some countries lead in total player count, others have the highest percentage of their population engaged in gaming.

Here’s a look at how gaming populations vary by region and country.

16. The United States is home to 214 million gamers, while China has 681.1 million players, making it the country with the largest gaming population. Japan follows with 73.6 million gamers.

17. The United States also leads in competitive gaming, with 3,728 active esports players. China ranks second with 2,070 competitors, while Brazil follows in third place with 1,401 players. Russia and the United Kingdom round out the top five, with 922 and 872 esports players, respectively.

18. Asia remains the world’s largest gaming market, with 1.48 billion players—driven by its large population and rapid industry growth. Europe comes in second place with 715 million gamers.

19. When it comes to gaming penetration, Japan and the United Kingdom have the highest percentage of gamers, with 58% of their population playing video games.

20. The number of gamers in the UK is about to grow more in the future. In 2017, 50% of the population played video games, but by 2027, that number is projected to reach 70%.

21. Japan is seeing a similar trend, with gaming penetration rising from 53% in 2017 to an estimated 67% in 2027. Sweden and South Korea are also expected to reach 64% penetration by 2027.

22. In the United States, 68% of players play to relax or pass the time, while 67% play for fun. 37% use gaming to keep their minds sharp, and 30% turn to games for immersion or escape.

Gamers Demographics Stats

Gamers from all around the world have different ages, backgrounds, and playing habits. While gaming was once seen as a niche hobby, it has become a mainstream activity enjoyed by people of all genders and age groups.

Here are some important stats about the demographics shaping the world of gaming:

23. In the United States, the gaming community is 55% male and 45% female. When we break it in terms of number, there are around 1.7 billion male gamers and 1.39 billion female gamers, showing a fairly balanced player base.

24. The vast majority of gamers are adults. 80% of players are over 18, which translates to approximately 2.47 billion adult gamers worldwide. Meanwhile, there are 618 million gamers under 18.

25. The largest age group in gaming is 18 to 34 (they make 38% of the gaming population). Younger players under 18 account for 20%, with around 600 million gamers in this group. Those between 35 and 44 make up 14% of players, while gamers 45 and older represent a smaller but still significant share, estimated at 200 to 300 million people.

26. Gaming among older adults has grown steadily over the years. 29% of players today are 50 or older, compared to 17% in 2004 and just 9% in 1999, highlighting how gaming has expanded across different age groups.

27. In the United States, 73% of gamers are white, 9% are Hispanic, 8% identify as Black, 6% are Asian, and 2% belong to other racial or ethnic backgrounds.

Gaming Devices and Platforms Stats

Gaming is no longer limited to a single platform. Players today have more options than they used to have before, from mobile devices and PCs to consoles and virtual reality.

Here are some stats that show how people play and where developers are investing their efforts:

28. 63% of U.S. households play video games on mobile, making it the most popular platform. 53% of gamers use PCs, while 36% play on consoles. Virtual reality (VR) is still a smaller segment, with 12% of households gaming through VR headsets.

29. A Statista survey from Q3 2024 found that 67% of internet users worldwide play games on smartphones, making mobile the top gaming platform globally. PC gaming via laptop or desktop ranked second, with 34.7% of players using these devices.

30. When it comes to game development, 63% of developers create content for PC, making it the leading platform. PlayStation 5 follows with about 31%, while Android and iOS each have 30% of developer focus.

31. PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch also receive strong developer support, with 20% to 30% of developers working on these platforms.

32. Web browsers, VR headsets, Linux, and Google Stadia see lower levels of game development, with developer focus ranging from 10% down to 3%.

Gaming Benefits Stats

We know that many parents would say otherwise, but video games offer a lot of benefits. If you don’t believe us, then take a look at these gaming stats:

33. 79% of U.S. adults say video games bring them joy, with 90% of Millennials and Gen Z contributing to this total.

34. Many players also see gaming as beneficial for the mind. 77% of adults believe video games provide mental stimulation, while 76% say gaming helps relieve stress.

35. 74% of U.S. adults believe gaming provides inclusive experiences for people with different abilities.

36. 73% of adults think video games help improve cognitive skills, while 70% say gaming brings people from different backgrounds together.

37. Parents who game often share the experience with their children. 83% of gaming parents play with their kids, and 51% do so at least once a week.

38. When it comes to value, 63% of players believe video games offer the best entertainment for the money. Before purchasing a new game, 54% of players read or watch reviews from other users.

Gamers Preferences and Subscriptions Stats

Gaming isn’t just about playing—it’s about how players choose to engage with their favorite games. From subscription services offering exclusive content to the reasons people play, gaming preferences continue to shape the industry.

Here’s a look at how gamers engage with their favorite titles and the growing influence of gaming subscriptions.

39. 52% of gamers globally subscribe to at least one gaming service, which translates to around 1.61 billion players globally.

40. In the U.S., console gamers (74%) are more likely to subscribe to a gaming service than PC gamers (66%). Based on this trend, an estimated 2.29 billion console players and 2.04 billion PC players globally will likely have a gaming subscription.

41. Among subscription services, Xbox Live has around 100 million users worldwide, more than doubling from 39 million in 2016. Sony’s PlayStation Plus follows with 47.3 million subscribers as of June 2022, up from 20.8 million in 2016.

42. About 143 million gamers in the U.S. say they play video games to relax, while 112 million play during breaks or while waiting.

43. Globally, 1.14 billion players enjoy video games for problem-solving and logical thinking. Meanwhile, 1.58 billion gamers play for entertainment, and 1.48 billion use gaming as a way to enjoy alone time.

44. 52% of gamers prefer playing to pass the time, whether they’re on a break, waiting, or commuting. The majority, 66%, play to relax and unwind.

Conclusion

The number of gamers around the world keeps growing, making gaming a bigger part of daily life than ever before. 

With billions of players across different platforms, video games are no longer limited to any specific audience. People of all ages and backgrounds enjoy them in their own way.

Countries like the United States, China, and Japan still have the largest number of players, but gaming is expanding everywhere. 

As this industry continues to evolve, video games are becoming an even more important part of entertainment and culture.