By Sagar V. Mankar 
Canada’s video game industry contributed a substantial $5.1 billion to the country’s GDP in 2024. This represents a 3% increase since 2021, according to a report by Nordicity for the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC), noted by GI.biz.
Breaking Down the Numbers
- Direct contribution: $3.9 billion from gaming companies
- Indirect contribution: $1.2 billion from related economic activities, including supply chain impacts and employee wages
Employment Landscape
The Canadian gaming industry shows interesting trends in terms of employment:
- Total employment decreased by 3.5% compared to 2021
- Full-time employment increased from 81% to 86%
- Average salaries rose by 21% to reach $102,000 annually
- Current workforce stands at 34,010 people across 821 studios
Geographic Distribution
If we see the industry’s regional distribution across Canada, then:
- Ontario leads with 276 studios
- Quebec employs the largest workforce with 15,200 people
- The industry maintains 88% of its revenue from exports
- 76% of companies remain Canadian-owned
Industry Challenges
While numbers seem promising, there are several challenges that can’t be ignored, including:
- 9% decline in total studios since 2021 with Small studios (2-4 employees) were most affected
- Industry consolidation and layoffs impacted employment numbers
- Single-owner operations increased from 52 to 103
Looking Forward
ESAC President and CEO Paul Fogolin remains optimistic: “The video game industry is a cornerstone of Canada’s digital economy, creating high quality jobs, driving innovation, and showcasing our creativity on the global scale.” He acknowledges the post-pandemic challenges while highlighting the industry’s maturity and potential for continued growth.
Source: Economic report by Nordicity for the Entertainment Software Association of Canada (ESAC), May-July 2024