The Shocking Figures of Active Gamers Worldwide in 2023

Currently, there are a total of 3.09 billion gamers around the world. The gaming industry is valued at $197.11 billion, which will likely expand. The sector will be worth more than $268 billion by 2025.

In this article, we will scrutinize the most recent statistics on the population of gamers worldwide.

Editor’s Choice

• Globally, there are over 3.09 billion active video gamers—in the gaming and esports market.
• The number of gamers is expected to reach 3.32 billion by 2024.
• Asia has more active gamers (1.42 billion) than Europe, Latin America, and North America. 
• The video game industry is valued at $197.11 billion.
• Over 532 million Chinese adults report playing Internet games in some capacity.
• In 2016, men made up more than 80% of esports viewers.
• There are over 1.7 billion male players in the world.
• Game night is an excellent method for 66% of families to spend quality time together.

How Many Gamers Are There In 2023?

There are roughly 3.09 billion active video gamers globally. The market for gamers and esports is growing daily, accounting for an estimated $197.11 billion.  

The video game industry is estimated to be worth $197.11 billion. And esports participants are progressively contributing to that total.

And in just seven years, that figure has increased by more than one billion or around 32% of the increase. By 2024, the number of gamers is predicted to reach 3.32 billion.

The U.S. has more than three times the number of active esports competition players than any other country. This is no surprise, given that the U.S. video gaming business is projected to be worth $90 billion.

The U.S. also has the same number of active esports players (3,629) as the top five countries combined (3,758).

Gamer Number Statistics Around Major Countries in The World

Professional Gamer Demographic Statistics

More than twice as many people in Asia play video games as in any other area (1.48 billion). Asia has 1.42 billion active gamers, more than Europe, Latin America, and North America. Take a look at this regional breakdown for more details:

1. The percentage of the population who play video games is highest in Japan (58%) and the United Kingdom (58%).

(Statista)

In 2027, the U.K. will have the most significant video gamer population. Take a look at the five countries with the highest gaming penetration rates.

2. The number of Chinese video game players exceeds 666 million

(Statista)

China’s video game market is expected to double in size between 2010 and 2020, making it the largest market in the world. Over 532 million Chinese adults report participating in some form of online gaming every day.

3. Most Millennial gamers (56%) prefer playing on a personal computer.

(Statista)

Over half of all three generations of gamers play games on personal computers. Surprisingly, those ages 10 to 22 make up a sizable portion of PC gamers, as it is commonly assumed that this age group plays video games almost exclusively on mobile devices.

4. Approximately 70% of spectators in Esports are male.

(Dept)

Despite the nearly equal number of female and male gamers, most Esports viewers are men. However, this perception of esports as a "boy's world" is slowly shifting. In 2016, more than 80% of esports viewers were men.

5. By 2023, 15.5% of all U.S. internet users are expected to have watched an esports stream.

(Statista)

In the U.S., Overwatch, League of Legends, DOTA2, and other major tournaments are held in this country. Analysts believe that esports will soon become the next big thing in the U.S., even though the Asia-Pacific region is the largest market of the Esports industry.

Statistics on the Global Gamer Community

There are roughly 1.7 billion male players worldwide. In the U.S., male players make up the bulk of gamers, around 55%.

Let’s look at more statistics and data of the global gamer community:

6. 75% of American homes have at least one gamer resident.

(Entertainment Software Association)

Playing video games is a popular pastime and activity in the U.S. According to studies, gamers in American households are likely to play a handheld gaming device, home console, or computer.

7. Over half of American parents (55%) often engage their kids in video gaming.

(Entertainment Software Association)

The generation that grew up on playing video games is now the parenting generation in the U.S., helping to improve the general public’s perception of the medium. 

75% of parents surveyed think video games are instructive. In comparison, 66% say that game night is a terrific way to spend quality time as a family.

8. In the U.K., personal computers account for about 25% of all players.

(Statista)

About 10.4 million individuals play video games on a personal computer in the U.K. Until GPU costs come down, this gaming subsector is expected to expand, but fortunately, there are optimization tools to help. 

Although there are currently difficulties in acquiring PC components, the popularity of PC gaming continues to grow. Experts estimate that by half a quarter of 2023, there will be more than 1.8 billion PC gamers worldwide.

Final Words

The gaming business has grown significantly over the years, with the number of gamers expected to reach 3.09 billion by 2023. With more active esports competition participants than any other country, the U.S. has emerged as a significant player in the esports sector. 

Gaming has become an essential aspect of culture and economy, with the sector expected to be valued at more than $268 billion in 2025 and giving rise to a new generation of gamers.