Video Game Console Market

The global video game console market is projected to experience growth over the next eight years, with an expected CAGR of +3.6% in volume and +4.7% in value from 2022 to 2030. In 2022, consumption of video game consoles increased by 21% to 158M units, with the market revenue totaling $35.6B. China, the United States, and the UK were the top consumers in 2022. China dominated production and exports, while the United States led in imports. The average import price in 2022 was $260 per unit, with significant price variations among importing countries. The global market recorded growth in shipments abroad of video game consoles, with exports increasing by 60% to 244M units in 2022.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for video game consoles worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 209M units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $51.2B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Video Game Consoles

In 2022, consumption of video game consoles increased by 21% to 158M units, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption saw a prominent increase. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

The global video game console market revenue totaled $35.6B in 2022, picking up by 11% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption posted buoyant growth. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (67M units), the United States (57M units) and the UK (3.5M units), with a combined 81% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +27.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($12.5B), China ($10.7B) and Japan ($1.6B) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 70% share of the global market.

China, with a CAGR of +23.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of video game console per capita consumption in 2022 were the United States (171 units per 1000 persons), the Netherlands (168 units per 1000 persons) and the UK (52 units per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +27.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Video Game Consoles

For the third consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in production of video game consoles, which increased by 85% to 278M units in 2022. In general, production recorded a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 118%. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum volume in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, video game console production dropped sharply to $22B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 86% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $28.6B, and then declined remarkably in the following year.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of video game console production was China (271M units), comprising approx. 97% of total volume.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China totaled +24.6%.

Imports

World Imports of Video Game Consoles

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of video game consoles, when their volume decreased by -6.8% to 124M units. In general, imports, however, recorded strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 130%. Global imports peaked at 133M units in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, video game console imports totaled $32.3B in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 53%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

The United States dominates imports structure, reaching 76M units, which was approx. 61% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (9.5M units), creating a 7.7% share of total imports. The UK (4.1M units), Japan (3.9M units), Germany (3.9M units), France (2.5M units) and China (2.3M units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into the United States increased at an average annual rate of +13.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the Netherlands (+22.9%), China (+19.3%) and Japan (+2.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +22.9% from 2012-2022. The UK experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Germany (-1.4%) and France (-2.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United States (+28 p.p.) and the Netherlands (+5.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Japan, the UK, France and Germany saw its share reduced by -1.5%, -2.6%, -3.2% and -3.9% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($11.3B) constitutes the largest market for imported video game consoles worldwide, comprising 35% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($3.9B), with a 12% share of global imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 6.8% share.

In the United States, video game console imports expanded at an average annual rate of +8.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (+27.6% per year) and Germany (+3.2% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average video game console import price stood at $260 per unit in 2022, surging by 9.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average import price increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $424 per unit in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($569 per unit), while the United States ($149 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+4.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Video Game Consoles

For the third year in a row, the global market recorded growth in shipments abroad of video game consoles, which increased by 60% to 244M units in 2022. In general, exports showed a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 85% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, video game console exports expanded significantly to $30.3B in 2022. Overall, exports saw a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

China dominates exports structure, accounting for 206M units, which was near 84% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by the United States (19M units), constituting a 7.7% share of total exports. The Netherlands (6.8M units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +23.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the Netherlands (+28.3%) and the United States (+13.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +28.3% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China and the Netherlands increased by +34 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, China ($18.1B) remains the largest video game console supplier worldwide, comprising 60% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($2.2B), with a 7.2% share of global exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China totaled +9.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+26.9% per year) and the United States (-2.5% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average video game console export price stood at $124 per unit in 2022, falling by -33.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a deep reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 24%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $420 per unit in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($318 per unit), while the United States ($63 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (-1.0%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform