Almost 4 in 10 Belgians occasionally play video games
Almost four out of 10 Belgians play video games occasionally, according to the annual figures for 2023 of the Video Games Federation Belgium (VGFB), which were published on Thursday. In particular, the number of female gamers has increased in recent years.
The VGFB counted 4.5 million Belgian gamers last year, the same as in 2022. Out of a population of 11.7 million, that is just under 40 per cent. According to the federation, the stable number means the growth related to the Covid-19 pandemic has been consolidated.
The gender gap is also narrowing. The percentage of female players has increased by 10 per cent over the last 15 years and now accounts for 47 per cent of the Belgian gaming population. This is higher than the European average of 43.5 per cent. The number of female gamers is expected to continue to increase due to the growing attention and investment in diversity in games.
Hobby for young and old
The figures also show that video games are not just a hobby for children. The average age of a gamer in 2023 was 31, the same as the European average. More than one in three Belgian gamers is older than 35, and one in five is older than 45. Children under 14 make up another fifth of the total.
"Video games have evolved from a niche hobby to a popular and full-fledged form of entertainment for young and old," says David Verbruggen, general manager of the VGFB.
© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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