Gaming boom: more Dutch adults playing long-duration and online games

Gaming is becoming an increasingly prominent part of Dutch society, with a growing number of adults engaging in online and long-duration gaming. In 2024, more than a quarter (27 percent) of Dutch adults played such games, a significant rise from 18 percent in 2019. This data comes from a study by the Mulier Institute, which examined gaming habits among both children and adults.

The increase in gaming is particularly evident among young adult men, with participation climbing from 24 percent in 2019 to 39 percent in 2024. In contrast, the percentage of women engaging in gaming has remained stable at 15 percent.

Despite common assumptions, gaming does not necessarily compete with sports. Among children aged 10 to 12, those who game less tend to engage in sports more frequently. However, this correlation becomes less clear for teenagers aged 12 to 16. Among adults, higher levels of sports participation are actually linked to increased gaming activity, suggesting that gaming and exercise can coexist rather than being mutually exclusive.

Gaming is increasingly becoming a social activity. In 2024, 47 percent of gamers played with friends or family, up from 35 percent in 2019. This trend highlights the role of gaming in fostering social connections, as more people turn to games as a way to interact with others.

While most gamers view their gaming habits positively, some challenges remain. Many long-duration gamers are concerned about the amount of time they spend playing, with 35 percent citing this as an issue. However, this marks a decrease from 43 percent in 2019, indicating that time management concerns may be slightly easing.

Financial cost is another growing issue, as 17 percent of adult gamers now see expenses as a downside, up from 10 percent in 2019. Additionally, 26 percent of gamers report using games as a way to escape reality, a significant increase from 19 percent in 2019.

Gaming is expected to continue its upward trajectory as a popular leisure activity, particularly among younger generations. However, fitness-oriented games, such as Pokémon GO and dance-based games, remain a niche interest. Fewer than 10 percent of Dutch gamers participate in such activities.