The number of gamers in Germany continues to rise significantly. According to a survey conducted by the IT industry association Bitkom, 55 percent of people in Germany aged 16 and older currently play video and computer games, either regularly or occasionally. This marks an increase from 50 percent five years ago and 52 percent last year, translating to approximately 39 million individuals.
Gaming is particularly popular among younger demographics: 89 percent of those aged 16 to 29 are players. The popularity remains high among 30- to 49-year-olds at 70 percent, while 47 percent of people between 50 and 64 are also participants. Furthermore, gaming reaches older age groups, with nearly a quarter (24 percent) of individuals over 65 playing at least sometimes.
For many, games have become an integral part of their lives. Nearly half of the gamers surveyed (47 percent) feel they cannot imagine a life without video and computer games. Psychological aspects are also significant; 44 percent have wished they could step into a game in real life, while 40 percent construct a personal ideal reality within gaming environments and another 40 percent use games as an escape from reality. Additionally, 37 percent report that they are able to realize aspects of themselves through video and computer games, with one in five (21 percent) stating that they only show their true selves in games.
On a related note, 15 percent of gamers reported having been harassed or insulted while playing online games. There is also serious concern regarding child and youth protection. A commanding 81 percent believe that online and video games do not provide safe spaces for children and adolescents, and 85 percent feel that better protective measures for children and youth are necessary in the gaming world.
The data was collected via telephone interviews with 1,205 people aged 16 and older in Germany, including 663 gamers. The polling took place between the 20th and 24th calendar weeks of 2026.
