Serbia’s gaming industry has shown remarkable growth in 2024, outperforming global trends still reeling from post-pandemic challenges, according to a new report released on April 25 by the Serbian Games Association (SGA).

The report highlights a maturing sector with robust output, increased gender diversity and sustained innovation, despite signs of slowing job growth.

"While the global industry is still in the phase of crisis management that occurred after COVID, it turned out that the situation in Serbia is perhaps better than the global average," the SGA noted.

According to the report, Serbian-made games have been downloaded nearly 300mn times across digital platforms. The 15 largest companies in the country’s gaming sector generated a record €214mn in revenue in 2024 — a 22% increase compared to the previous year.

An estimated 100 development studios and teams operated in Serbia last year, with 44 games released and 84 more currently in development. Mobile games continue to dominate in terms of revenue generation.

The industry employs around 4,500 professionals, with approximately 200 jobs added since 2022. However, projections for 2025 estimate the creation of only 130 new positions — the lowest growth rate recorded — signalling a shift toward market stabilisation.

Significantly, 31% of the workforce are women, with women leading one-third of all teams. Moreover, 55% of companies are focused on developing original intellectual property (IP), highlighting Serbia's growing role in global content creation.

For the first time, the SGA gathered data on the use of artificial intelligence in development, company ownership structures, localisation practices, project satisfaction and event attendance. Belgrade and Novi Sad remain the primary hubs of activity, with quality assurance, programming and 3D art being the most common professions.

However, the report points to several structural issues. Companies cite high tax burdens, a lack of local support for publishing platforms and insufficient tax incentives as the main obstacles to further growth. The shortage of experienced programmers and senior staff for business support roles also remains a concern.

Nevertheless, the report paints a picture of a dynamic and increasingly self-sustaining sector, with the SGA positioning Serbia as a noteworthy player in the broader European and global gaming markets.