Video games have become an integral part of our daily routine, with an abundance of genres and types available, all of which are easily accessible. These games can be played on multiple devices such as smartphones, tablets, and TV, and offer the flexibility of playing solo or with friends, online or offline, and even watching others play in real-time. But who are the people that are more likely to be gamers? The answer lies in the examination of the current video gaming demographics. However, it’s essential to be prepared for the surprising results that await.
Gone are the days when the image of a nerdy-looking teenager playing alone in front of the TV was associated with video games. Today, people from diverse social backgrounds contribute to the growing global gaming community, and the following statistics provide insight into this diversity.
Before we delve into the numbers, here’s a sneak peek of what’s coming up.
Video Gaming Demographics Overview
- By 2023, there will be over 3 billion active video gamers worldwide.
- The average age of a gamer is 34 years old.
- 70% of gamers are aged 18 or older.
- In the United States, 60% of the population plays video games daily.
- 45% of US gamers are women, and this number is steadily increasing.
- Around 70% of parents believe that video games have a positive impact on their children’s lives.
- The global gaming industry’s revenue is projected to reach $337 billion by 2027.
Contrary to popular belief, the statistics suggest that video games are no longer just for teenagers. They have become an integral part of everyday life, enjoyed by people of all ages and genders. With gaming revenue projected to continue its exponential growth, it’s clear that gaming fever is here to stay.
Interesting Insights About Video Gaming Demographics
To understand the typical gamer, we must start with some fascinating facts:
1. Approximately 36% of gamers in the United States fall between the ages of 18 and 34.
Additionally, video game industry statistics reveal that 64% of US adults and 70% of those under 18 play video games on a regular basis.
(Source: Statista, GameIndustry.biz)
2. The number of people playing video games will reach 3.32 billion by 2024.
This represents a significant increase from the 2020 and 2021 figures, with an estimated growth rate of 6% annually between 2020 and 2024.
The gaming industry has been on the rise since 2015 when there were only 1.99 billion players, indicating that its growth is not slowing down anytime soon.
(Source: Statista, Finances Online)
3. In 2022, the majority of gamers, which is 54%, utilize their smartphones
In American households, people have their preferred devices for playing video games, whether it’s Xbox, Playstation, PC, or a phone. However, the most popular device for gaming in 2022, according to a consumer survey by Statista, is the smartphone, with over half of gamers using it.
(Source: Statista)
4. On average, a gamer is 34 years old, has children, and owns a house.
To be honest, would you have guessed that the average age of gamers is 34?
However, there is a difference between men and women. The average age for female gamers is 36, and the most active group of women gamers are those aged between 18-35, accounting for 13% of the gaming community. On the other hand, the average age for male gamers is 34, and the most active group among male gamers is boys under 18, representing 17% of all gamers. The differences between the sexes are even more pronounced when talking about purchasing games.
(Source: ESA)
5. Men are three times as likely to buy a game as women.
The reason for the difference in purchasing behavior between men and women lies in how they perceive gaming. Although the number of female players has increased in recent years, they still view it as just another leisure activity. Only 6% of women identify as ‘gamers,’ compared to 15% of men. It’s only natural for guys, who have a greater love for playing video games, to purchase more games.
(Source: Earnest)
6. By 2023, it is projected that revenue from mobile games will exceed $100 billion.
The video game industry is experiencing tremendous growth thanks to the increasing power of mobile devices. In fact, by the end of 2020, more than 50% of the gaming market was made up of smartphones and smartwatches. With the continuous growth of global mobile penetration rates and smartphone usage, it is expected that the industry will generate revenue of over $100 billion by next year.
(Source: Statista)
What demographic plays video games the most?
As we step into 2023, the landscape of the video game industry continues to evolve at an incredible pace. With advancements in technology, the introduction of new gaming consoles, and a growing number of mobile devices, it’s no surprise that the number of gamers is steadily increasing. However, the question remains: who exactly is playing these games? Let’s add some details to our understanding of the average gamer.
7. 72% of video game players are aged 18 years or older
In addition, the age group of 18-35 seems to be the most active among gamers, accounting for 29% of all gamers. It’s surprising to note that a significant number of adults over 35 also play video games, with 43% of gamers in 2018 falling into that age group. Among them, 20% were between the ages of 36-49, and 23% were 50 or older.
(Source: Statista)
8. About 32% of female video game players play games on mobile devices five times a week.
In 2022, 32% of female gamers play video games five times a week, which is 4% more than male gamers. Female gamers tend to look for problem-solving experiences in games, with 33% of them preferring puzzles, while only 20% of men do the same.
(Source: Newzoo)
9. 70% of parents believe that video games have a positive impact on their child’s life.
It’s amazing how things have changed, isn’t it? I can still recall my mother shouting at me to stop playing games and focus on my homework.
Today, however, parents are more aware of the content of games and the time their children spend playing them. In 2020, they can even use antivirus software to monitor their kids’ activities on their devices. 72% of parents limit their child’s gaming time, while 94% pay close attention to the games their kids play. Additionally, 90% of parents are present when their children acquire a new video game.
(Source: ESA)
10. Two-thirds of parents, which is 67%, play video games with their kids at least once a week.
As previously mentioned, many parents today are part of the first generation of video gamers. However, they have not given up on gaming entirely.
(Source: ESA)
11. More than half of the most frequent gamers, 56%, play multiplayer games.
More than half of the most frequent gamers, or 56%, play multiplayer games at least once a week. On average, they spend 7 hours per week playing with others online, which is an hour more than they spend playing in person. Who are these “others” to them?
According to research, 42% of frequent gamers play with friends, 19% play with family members, 17% play with parents, and 16% play with their spouses. For 55% of gamers, video games serve as a way to connect with friends.
(Source: ESA)
12. 35% of gamers who play in multiplayer mode prefer shooter games.
The second most popular game genre among multiplayer gamers is action games, accounting for 28% of preferences, followed closely by casual games with 27%.
It’s no secret that sometimes we all have that urge to shoot someone with a big gun, and doing so to a friend in a video game can be even more satisfying.
(Source: ESA)
Who Is Buying Games? | Video Gaming Demographics
Let’s take a look at some fascinating statistics about the video game industry, including who is purchasing games and their preferred methods for buying them.
13. The market value of the gaming industry is expected to reach $339.95 billion by 2027.
According to video game industry statistics, the value of the industry is expected to exceed $300 billion within the next five years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 8.94% between 2022 and 2027. The industry has made significant technological advancements, such as the ability to rewrite and launch code on multiple platforms like Xbox, PCs, and PlayStations, as well as offering games through cloud services to enhance user experience.
(Source: Mordor Intelligence)
14. The average age of a person who buys video games is 36 years old.
On average, a game purchaser is 36 years old, which is slightly older than the average age of a gamer, which is 34. In addition, statistics indicate that 64% of the most frequent game purchasers are male.
(Source: Digital Australia)
15. The age group with the highest likelihood of purchasing a game is 18-24 years old.
According to a survey conducted by Earnest, which analyzed data from thousands of applicants for student loan refinancing, 16.3% of people aged 18-24 reported spending money on games. The next highest group was those aged 25-27 with 14.0%, followed by those aged 28-30 with 12.2%.
Interestingly, the group that spent the least on games was those aged 35-40 with 8.6%. However, there was a slight increase in the percentage of people over 40 with 9.4%. This could be due to parents buying games for their children.
(Source: Earnest)
16. When deciding which game to buy, 66% of people consider the quality of graphics to be important.
63% of respondents consider the price to be an important factor when buying a game, while 61% value a game with a good story. Additionally, 51% say being a part of their favorite series is an important factor, and 50% look for online gameplay compatibility.
Interestingly, 42% of gamers buy games without trying them first, compared to only 30% who download a trial or demo version before making a purchase.
(Source: ESA)
17. 83% of game purchases are made in digital format
In the present day, 83% of game purchases are made in digital format, which includes subscriptions, full games, add-on content, mobile apps, and social network games. Only 17% of video games are bought in physical form. This is a significant change from 2010 when only 31% of sales were made in digital format.
(Source: Statista)
Future of Video Gaming Demographics
Let’s briefly examine what advancements can be anticipated in the gaming industry in the future.
18. According to experts, revenue from mobile gaming is expected to reach $124.90 billion in 2022.
Additionally, it is projected to have a compound annual growth rate of approximately 8.74% from 2022 to 2026, leading to an increase in revenue to $175 billion by the end of the projection period.
(Source: Statista)
19. Approximately 63% of Canadians and Americans participate in mobile gaming.
In North America, approximately 229 million people are active gamers, which accounts for 63% of the population of the United States and Canada. Furthermore, weekly playtime has increased by 27%, resulting in a 16% increase in revenue compared to 2020.
(Source: NPD)
20. By the end of 2023, free-to-play (F2P) games are projected to generate a revenue of $25 billion.
Revenue generated from free-to-play games has increased by 50% since 2012 and is projected to reach $250 billion by the end of 2023. In contrast, revenue from consoles and PCs on a retail scale is estimated to be around $7 billion.
Interesting Facts About Gamers | Video Gaming Demographics
We came across some interesting statistics during our research that we couldn’t resist sharing.
21. Individuals earning an annual income above $90,000 are less inclined to purchase games.
The data remains quite steady for the other income groups. However, when the income surpasses $90,000, the percentage decreases from an average of 12% to only 9%.
(Source: Earnest)
22. Dentists are the group least likely to buy video games.
In terms of various professions, dentists are the least inclined to spend on video games, with only 5.8% of them reporting gaming expenses.
(Source: Earnest)
23. About 65% of women between the ages of 10 and 65 in the United States play mobile games.
Furthermore, women constitute 49% of all mobile gamers.
(Source: GameAnalytics)
Video Gaming Demographics FAQs
42% of gamers purchase games without trying them, compared to 30% who first download a trial or demo version.
63% of the population of the US and Canada play video games, which equates to approximately 229 million active gamers between the two countries.
Experts predict that mobile gaming revenue will reach $124.90 billion in 2023, with a projected growth rate of roughly 8.74% between 2022 and 2026, bringing the total revenue to $175 billion during that period.
Only 17% of video games were purchased in physical form, with the remaining 83% of purchases being in digital format.
People with a yearly income higher than $90,000 are less likely to buy video games than those in lower income brackets.
Final Thoughts about Video Gaming Demographics
Video games are increasingly becoming a part of our daily routine, and it’s not just teenagers who are engaging in them. Individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds are participating in the craze. With 2.6 billion gamers worldwide, it can be overwhelming to make sense of the industry. We carefully selected the statistics mentioned in this article to provide some clarity. We hope you enjoyed reading and learning about the fascinating world of video gaming demographics. It’s time to wrap up our journey.
