Millions of people around the world enjoy playing video games. For many, gaming is a simple way to relax, escape from everyday stress, enter another world, and have fun.
But which countries have the biggest gaming audiences? The team at Datslots looked at data from Statista to find out. The figures come from a worldwide survey of internet users aged 16 to 24 and show the percentage of people who play video games in each country.
Here are the countries with the highest percentages:
- 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%
The Philippines comes out on top, with 95.8% of internet users surveyed saying they play video games. That means more than nine in ten people in the group are gamers.
Asia dominates the top five, with Indonesia at 94.8%, Vietnam at 93.1%, and Thailand at 93%. Turkey follows at 92.3%, while India, Mexico, and Taiwan all record more than 91%.
Saudi Arabia takes ninth place at 90.1%, followed by South Africa at 89.7%.
Which European Countries Play the Most Video Games?
The European gaming market was worth $42.12 billion in 2023, according to Statista. But which European countries have the highest share of people who play video games?
- Greece: 86.3%
- Portugal: 84.7%
- Romania: 83.3%
- Poland: 80.9%
- France: 80.8%
- Italy: 80.6%
- Spain: 79.8%
- Russia: 78.4%
- Sweden: 78.4%
- Switzerland: 77.9%
- Czechia: 75.9%
- Austria: 75.5%
- Netherlands: 75.2%
- Germany: 74.6%
- Denmark: 74.3%
- Norway: 72.7%
- United Kingdom: 72.4%
- Ireland: 72.1%
- Belgium: 69.5%
Greece has the highest percentage in Europe, with 86.3% of internet users in the survey playing video games.
Portugal follows at 84.7%, while Romania comes third at 83.3%. Poland, France, and Italy also have gaming rates above 80%.
At the other end of the list, Belgium has the lowest percentage among the countries included, at 69.5%. Ireland, the UK, and Norway are all around 72%.
Gaming in Asia
Asia has one of the world’s biggest gaming markets, with the industry valued at more than $54.4 billion, according to Statista.
- Philippines: 95.8%
- Indonesia: 94.8%
- Vietnam: 93.1%
- Thailand: 93%
- India: 91.9%
- Taiwan: 91.3%
- Saudi Arabia: 90.1%
- UAE: 88.2%
- Malaysia: 87.4%
- Hong Kong: 83.1%
- Singapore: 81.7%
- Israel: 78.3%
- South Korea: 78.3%
- China: 72.1%
- Japan: 66.4%
The Philippines leads Asia with 95.8% of internet users playing video games. Japan records the lowest figure on the list, at 66.4%.
The UAE and Malaysia also have high gaming rates, at 88.2% and 87.4% respectively. South Korea, often associated with gaming and esports, records 78.3%.
Gaming in the Americas
Mexico has the highest percentage of internet users who play video games in the Americas, at 91.3%. Canada has the lowest figure among the countries listed, at 79.5%.
- Mexico: 91.3%
- Brazil: 88.4%
- Chile: 87.6%
- Colombia: 84.8%
- United States: 82.9%
- Argentina: 80.2%
- Canada: 79.5%
Brazil follows Mexico at 88.4%, while Chile records 87.6%. Colombia sits at 84.8%, followed by the United States at 82.9%.
Why Do People Play Video Games?
A spokesperson from Datslots said that people play video games for several reasons. Games can give players a challenge and a sense of achievement when they complete a level or finish a game.
Gaming can also help people connect with others. Players can meet and play with people from different parts of the world, build friendships, and enjoy a shared hobby.
With such a large percentage of young internet users playing games, it is clear that gaming has become a major part of online entertainment around the world.
