Middle East fastest-growing market for game revenue and downloads in 2024

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The Middle East was the fast-growing market for game downloads and revenue across the App Store and Google Play in 2024, according to Sensor Tower estimates.

Speaking at the Dubai GameExpo Summit 2025 powered by Pocket Gamer Connects, Sensor Tower team lead, gaming EMEA presented data that showed player spending in the Middle East rose by 18% year-over-year to $1.2 billion.

It should be noted, however, that currently the market represents some of the lowest revenue generation overall by region at present.

Player spending in North America rose by 9% Y/Y to $28 billion, while Europe grew 14% Y/Y to $12bn. Latin America saw revenue increase 13% Y/Y to $1.5bn, Africa was flat Y/Y at $196 million, and Oceania saw 8% growth to $1.5bn.

Asia saw a decline in player spending by 3% Y/Y to $38bn, though was still by far the world’s largest market.

Downloads

The Middle East was the only market that saw a marginal increase in game downloads in 2024, rising by 1% Y/Y to 1.2bn.

North America saw a 7% decline Y/Y to 4.3bn installs, with Europe downloads decreasing 8% Y/Y to 9.8bn.

Latin America witnessed an 8% drop in downloads to 10bn, Oceania fell by 9% to 300m, and Asia declined by 6% to 21bn.

Genre breakdown

When it comes to the most popular genres by revenue, Strategy game out on top in 2024, followed by puzzle, shooter, casino and tabletop. 

Strategy saw 38% growth Y/Y, while puzzle had 37% growth. Other fast-risers included action at 22% growth, lifestyle at 17% and casino at 13%.