Who plays video games in 2025? Just about everyone.
There are over 3.3 billion active gamers worldwide, and that number is expected to climb past 3.5 billion in 2025. The common stereotype of a teen glued to a console is outdated, as the average gamer is now 36 years old, with nearly two-thirds of American adults playing weekly.
Whether on smartphones during a commute or consoles at home, gamers now span every generation, gender, and lifestyle. Let’s dive into the latest stats on video game demographics and discover who’s playing in 2025.
Editor’s Choice
- The average gamer is 36. Nearly 30% of US players are over 50, and over half of all American adults play weekly.
- Mobile is the top gaming platform. 57% of US gamers mostly play on smartphones.
- 46% of US gamers are women, and they are more likely than men to play five or more days a week.
- 74% of US players game with others, and over half do it weekly.
- Gaming is worth $522B globally and will hit $691B by 2029.
The State of Gaming in 2025
Gaming is booming. 3.32 billion people are playing video games worldwide in 2024, and that number is projected to exceed 3.5 billion in 2025. That’s a jump of over a billion players in less than a decade.
What’s driving this surge? Mobile gaming. Smartphones and tablets now dominate how people play, with over 3.2 billion mobile gamers globally. That figure is still climbing, as more people turn everyday moments into gaming sessions.
As player numbers rise, so does the industry’s value. The global gaming market is projected at $522 billion today, with forecasts reaching $691 billion by 2029. Asia leads the charge. 1.48 billion gamers live in the region, more than Europe, Latin America, and North America combined.
Who exactly makes up this massive, ever-growing player base? Let’s break it down to see who’s really powering the global gaming scene in 2025.
Inside the Gamer Profile: Video Game Demographics in 2025
The face of gaming has changed. In 2025, gamers come from all age groups, income levels, and backgrounds. Plus, they’re not just playing casually. Many play daily, across devices, and in ways that reflect their lifestyle.
Who are these 3.3 billion players? Let’s dive into the age, gender, and behavior stats that define the modern gaming crowd.
1. The global gaming population is projected to hit 3.5 billion by the end of 2025.
(Statista, Exploding Topics)
According to current forecasts, the number of active gamers worldwide will grow from 3.32 billion in 2024 to 3.5 billion by the close of 2025. That’s nearly half the global population engaging with games across mobile, PC, and consoles.
The projected increase continues a long-term trend, with gaming adoption expanding steadily year over year, especially in mobile-first regions like Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
2. 38% – 42% of US gamers are aged 18–34.
( ESA)
According to the 2024 ESA Essential Facts report, about 53% of Americans play video games for at least one hour per week.
The average player in the US is now 36 years old, and gaming in the country is served by a wide age spread. Roughly 20% are under 18, around 40% fall between 18 and 34, and close to 29% are 50 or older.
In short, nearly half of all American gamers are young adults aged 18–34, and the majority of the players across all age groups play regularly.
3. 43% of female mobile gamers play five or more days a week.
(AdTonos)
Recent data shows women are slightly more active on mobile. About 43% of female mobile gamers play at least five days a week, compared to 38% of their male counterparts. This suggests women are engaging with mobile games at a higher frequency.
Women also continue to lead puzzle or casual genres. A 2023 GameHouse survey found 74% of women played daily, often citing it as a key way to unwind and solve problems.
4. 52% of parents in the US who play games do so weekly with their children.
(ESA)
The 2024 Entertainment Software Association report states that 82% of parents who play video games do so with their kids, and 52% play together at least once a week. The top reasons parents co‑game include:
- “It’s fun for all of us” (61%)
- “Good opportunity to socialize with my child” (55%)
- “Great way for the family to spend time together” (55%)
5. 46% of women identify as gamers compared to nearly 60% of men.
(ESA)
The gender split among US gamers remains close. 53% identify as male, 46% as female, and about 1% as non-binary.
While men are somewhat more likely to identify with gaming as more than just a pastime, women’s growing identification suggests a narrowing perception gap. The nearly full participation rates close the old divide.
6. High‑income households spend as much or more on games compared to others.
(ESA)
Contrary to older trends, more recent data shows gaming purchases hold steady across income levels, including those earning over $100,000 annually. Adults who play are statistically more likely to be working full‑time with above-average incomes than the general population.
In fact, total US spending on video games reached $59.3 billion in 2024, with mobile content alone accounting for nearly $26 billion.
How We Play: Device Preferences in 2025
Gaming is not just about consoles anymore. In 2025, gaming is wherever you are. You might be on your phone during a commute, on a tablet before bed, or in front of a PC for a long weekend session.
Mobile now leads the way, but PC and consoles still have loyal followings. Explore which devices gamers are using most and how those preferences are shaping the way we play today.
7. 57% of US gamers say the smartphone is their most-used gaming device.
(Statista)
A 2024 Statista survey reports that 57% of US gamers now consider their smartphone their primary device for gaming. This clearly shows how mobile gaming dominates daily play, aligning with broader mobile vs. desktop usage trends.
8. In the Philippines, 95% of internet users play video games, and 98% of them do so on smartphones.
(IGN Southeast Asia, Philstar)
According to a 2023 report on video games in the Philippines, approximately 95% of internet users in the country are gamers. Of those, nearly 98% play games on smartphones.
The high percentage highlights how mobile gaming dominates in emerging markets, where smartphones provide the most accessible entry into gaming for users across all age groups and income levels.
Gaming as Culture: How Play Became Part of Daily Life
In 2025, gaming is woven into how people interact, relax, and even express themselves. From in-game hangouts to global esports events, games have grown into cultural spaces where people spend real time, form real connections, and build communities.
This section looks at how gaming fits into modern life as a shared part of how we live.
9. 74% of US players game with others, and 55% play socially weekly.
(ESA)
Gaming is more social than ever. 74% of gamers in the US play with others, either online or in person. 55% do so at least once a week. It’s not just teens gaming together. Gaming with families, friends, and intergenerational play is becoming increasingly common.
What’s driving this? Shared experiences, competitive fun, and even pure habit. Gaming is now a social activity embedded in everyday life.
10. About 30% of US gamers prefer shooter games.
(Statista)
30% of American gamers named shooter games as their favorite genre, with 41% choosing action-adventure titles. Casual genres (like puzzle and simulation) trail behind on most gamers’ lists.
While this figure isn’t limited to players in multiplayer mode, it clearly shows that shooters and action-adventure games dominate popular preferences among US gamers today.
11. 82% of gaming parents say playing with their kids improves family bonding and communication.
(ESA)
Gaming has become a family affair. 82% of US parents who play video games say it has a positive impact on family bonding and communication.
The parents are also actively involved in how their children engage with games. 72% set limits on screen time, 94% monitor game content, and 90% are involved when games are downloaded or purchased.
Gamers by the Dollar: Revenue Trends You Should Know
Gaming is raking in serious money. The video game industry continues to grow as billions of players span all ages and income levels. In fact, who’s playing and how they’re playing is directly shaping where the money flows.
Let’s take a look at how demographic shifts are fueling gaming’s massive financial growth.
12. Mobile gaming revenue is projected to hit $105.7 billion in 2025.
(Newzoo)
Global mobile gaming revenue reached $92.6 billion in 2024, marking a 3% year-over-year increase. Forecasts also say that it will rise to $105.7 billion by the end of 2025, with ~6% CAGR continuing beyond that.
13. US video game spending topped $59.3B in 2024, with mobile content driving half of that.
(ESA)
The latest ESA data for 2024 shows total annual consumer spending at $59.3 billion, spread across content (games, DLC, subscriptions), hardware, and accessories. Of that, a full $26 billion came from mobile games alone.
This shift toward mobile mirrors who’s playing and how. With 3.3 billion gamers worldwide, many engage through smartphones. This makes mobile content the top revenue driver among all consumer segments.
14. 35% of global gamers currently pay for at least one gaming subscription service.
(market.us)
A 2025 survey estimates that 35% of gamers worldwide are actively subscribed to a gaming service. These subscriptions include Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus, or mobile battle passes.
In regions like the US, around 20% of gamers maintain subscriptions. Meanwhile, in growth markets like India and Indonesia, subscriber percentages are more than double.
15. Millennials and Gen Z spend the most on video games, averaging ~$25/month each on games.
(Newzoo)
Newzoo’s 2024 Global Games Market Report finds that “big spenders” are shelling out $25 or more per month on content. This happens commonly among Millennials (aged 29–42) and Gen Z (aged 14–28).
On average, those age groups spend $25/month per platform, be it mobile, PC, or console.
Conclusion
Video games are now a global habit shaped by billions of people. In 2025, the typical gamer is not confined to any one age, gender, or income bracket. They’re parents, students, commuters, professionals. Some play casually on their phones, others grind for hours on consoles or PCs.
As the gaming population grows, so does its economic weight. Mobile is booming, subscriptions are rising, and players are spending.
Whether you’re playing to relax, compete, or connect, it is evident that gaming’s reach has never been broader. Its influence is not slowing down anytime soon.
FAQs on Video Game Demographics
How many gamers play daily in 2025?
About 60% of US adults and 41% of teens report playing video games every day. It shows daily play is strong across age groups, particularly among adult gamers.
How much time do gamers spend playing games daily?
The typical gamer spends about 1 hour and 27 minutes playing per day. In the US, that’s slightly higher than the global average of 1 hour and 12 minutes. Actual daily time varies by age and platform, and it can be viewed in context with average phone screen time.
Do older adults (50+) play video games, and how often?
Yes, gaming among older adults is rising. About 45% of Americans aged 50+ play video games at least once a month. Many choose puzzle or casual games for relaxation, brain health, and connection with younger family members.
Sources
Timeline Of The Article
-> V1 – Yearly Overhaul: 03-01-2020
-> V2 – User Suggested Edits: 16-06-2020
-> V5 – User Suggested Edits: 20-06-2021
-> V7 – Expert Evaluation Edits: 12-02-2022
By Victor Yanev
Victor is a fan of football and gaming. He occasionally finds an opening in his busy schedule to contribute valuable insight on the latest technological topics.