Gaming is no longer a small hobby; It is one of the largest and fastest growing entertainment industries in the world.
With billions of gamers and a market worth hundreds of billions of dollars, understanding the world of gaming is more important than ever. This report provides a complete overview of gamer statistics in 2025.
We’ll cover how many people play games, who those players are, and what types of games they enjoy. We’ll also examine the massive mobile gaming market that makes up the majority of the industry, looking at how games make money and how they’re promoted.
Key gaming stats for 2025
Here are the key numbers that provide an overview of today’s gaming world:
- Total number of players: There are 3.32 billion active video game players around the world.
- Mobile is king: Mobile gaming makes up for it 49% of the total turnover of the gaming market 92 billion dollars in 2024.
- Leading Gaming Region: Asia is home to almost the most gamers 1.5 billion Player.
- Average player age: The average age of a mobile gamer is 36This shows that gaming is popular across all age groups.
- Gender ratio: The gaming audience is almost equal 53% the players are male and 46.4% be female (especially for mobile gaming).
- Most popular genre: Casual games such as puzzles and simulations are the most commonly played 63% the players who play them regularly.
- Top mobile game: Roblox was the most downloaded mobile game in 2024 with 221 million downloads.
- Highest grossing mobile game: Monopoly GO! was the highest-grossing mobile game $2.2 billion of income.
How many people play video games?
The number of gamers worldwide has been growing steadily for years. In 2025 there are approximately 3.32 billion active players. That’s an increase of over a billion players in just nine years and shows how quickly the industry has grown.
The table below shows the steady growth in the number of players since 2015.
| Year | Number of players | Increase compared to the previous year |
| 2015 | 2.03 billion | – |
| 2017 | 2.33 billion | 160 million |
| 2019 | 2.64 billion | 150 million |
| 2021 | 2.96 billion | 150 million |
| 2023 | 3.22 billion | 130 million |
| 2024 | 3.32 billion | 100 million |
Source: statesman
Players by region
Gaming is a global phenomenon, but some regions have significantly more players than others. Asia is by far the largest market with more players than Europe, Latin America and North America combined.
- Asia: 1.48 billion players
- Europe: 715 million players
- Latin America: 420 million players
- North America: 285 million players
When it comes to how many people play games in a country (user penetration), Japan and the UK are at the top with 58% of the population playing video games.
Who are the gamers? A look at player demographics
The stereotype of a player is often a young man, but the data shows a much more diverse picture. Players come from all ages, genders and backgrounds.
Gender in gaming
While the overall gaming population includes slightly more men, the audience is becoming more balanced every year, especially in mobile gaming.
- In the USA, 53% the players are male and 46% are female.
- Specifically for mobile games: 53.6% the players are men and 46.4% are women.
The following table shows how the gender distribution in the USA has changed over the years and has become much more even.
| Year | Male gamers | Female gamers |
| 2006 | 62% | 38% |
| 2012 | 53% | 47% |
| 2018 | 55% | 45% |
| 2023 | 53% | 46% |
Age in gaming
Gaming isn’t just for kids. In fact, most of the players are adults. The average age of a mobile gamer is 36 years old.
Here’s a breakdown of players by age in the US:
- Under 18: 20%
- 18-34 years: 38% (the largest group)
- 35-44 years: 14%
- 45-54 years: 12%
- 55-64 years: 9%
- 65+ years: 7%
The Mobile Gaming Market: The largest part of the industry
While console and PC gaming are very popular, mobile gaming is the dominant force in the industry. It generates the most revenue and has the largest number of players.
- Market share: Mobile gaming account 49% of all gaming revenue in total 92 billion dollars in 2024.
After a period of massive growth during the pandemic, the mobile market has stabilized and is expected to continue growing, reaching over $103 billion by 2027.
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Mobile game downloads
In 2024, people have downloaded mobile games 49.6 billion just. While revenue is up, downloads have fallen slightly, suggesting players are spending more money on the games they already have rather than constantly trying out new ones.
What are people playing? Top genres and games
With millions of games available, player preferences vary greatly. However, some genres and titles are clear frontrunners.
The most popular mobile game genres
What people download differs from where they spend most of their money.
Top genres by downloads:
- Simulation: 9.8 billion downloads
- Puzzle: 9.7 billion downloads
- Arcade: 9.6 billion downloads
Top genres by sales:
- Strategy: $17.5 billion
- RPG (role playing games): $16.8 billion
- Puzzle: $12.2 billion
This suggests that while casual games like puzzles and simulators are the most downloaded, players spend the most money on in-app purchases in more complex games, including RPGs and strategy titles.
Top mobile games and publishers of 2024
Here are the specific games and companies that dominated the charts.
Most Downloaded Mobile Games:
- Roblox (221 million)
- Block explosion (217 million)
- Subway surfers (176 million)
Top grossing mobile games (highest revenue):
- Monopoly GO! ($2.2 billion)
- Honor of kings ($1.8 billion)
- Royal game ($1.4 billion)
Top mobile game publishers by downloads:
- Azur Games (1.4 billion)
- Supersonic Studios (979 million)
- SayGames (939 million)
Top mobile game publishers by revenue:
- Tencent ($6.2 billion)
- Scopely ($2.6 billion)
- Playrix ($1.6 billion)
Source: Finance online
How Games Make Money: Monetization and Player Spending
Most mobile games are free to download. You earn money through in-app purchases, in-app advertising, and subscriptions.
- In-app purchases are key: 95% of all money users spend in apps comes from in-app purchases.
- Players prefer advertising in free games: 82% of mobile gamers would rather play a free game with ads than pay for a game without ads.
- Ads for rewards: 74% of players will watch a video ad if they receive an in-game reward.
The average revenue per user (ARPU) for mobile games in the US is $60.58 in 2025. This shows that while many players play for free, a dedicated group spends enough to make the industry highly profitable.
Player Behavior: Why People Gamble and How They Gamble
Understanding why people play games helps explain what makes them so popular.
Top Reasons to Play Video Games:
- To relax, unwind and relax (66%)
- To fill time while waiting or commuting (52%)
- Escape from everyday life and be entertained (51%)
- Spend time alone (48%)
- Solve problems and think logically (37%)
Gaming habits and session lengths
The way people play varies depending on the type of game. “Classic” games like card and board games tend to have longer playing times, while “casual” games like puzzles are played in shorter, more frequent chunks.
Here’s a look at the average session duration for different game types:
| Game category | Average session length (top 25% of games) | Average sessions per day (top 25% of games) |
| Casual (puzzle, arcade) | 7 minutes | 5 sessions |
| classic (map, board) | 10 minutes | 6 sessions |
| Middle core (strategy, role play) | 8 minutes | 4 sessions |
This shows that classic game players are highly engaged and play longer and more frequently every day.
Player Stats FAQs
1. How many active gamers will there be worldwide in 2025?
In 2025 there will be approx 3.32 billion active players around the world and highlights the enormous scale and growth of the gaming industry.
2. What is the largest source of revenue in the gaming industry?
Mobile gaming is the dominant segment 49% of the total gaming market revenue generated 92 billion dollars in 2024 alone.
3. Which country has the most gamers?
Asia almost leads the global gaming market 1.5 billion playersmaking it the largest region for gambling activities.
4. What is the average age of a mobile gamer?
The Average age of a mobile gamer Is 36This shows that gaming is popular across all age groups, not just the younger generation.
5. Which mobile game generated the most revenue in 2024?
Monopoly GO! was the top-grossing mobile game in 2024, generating revenue $2.2 billion in sales, making it a major player in the mobile gaming market.
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Diploma
The gaming world in 2025 is bigger and more diverse than ever before. With over 3.3 billion players, it has become a primary form of entertainment for people of all ages and backgrounds around the world. Mobile gaming is at the heart of this industry, driving revenue and attracting a huge audience.
Although the market is highly competitive, it continues to grow. The data suggests that gamers are willing to spend money on their favorite games and are open to advertising in exchange for free content.
The most successful games are those that understand their audience and provide engaging experiences that keep players coming back every day. As technology improves and more people gain access to smartphones, the number of gamers will only increase.




