UKIE: 22% of UK games industry workforce affected by job losses in last three years
The UK games industry is facing significant employment challenges, with a new survey revealing that 22% of the workforce has experienced job loss over the past three years. The data comes from UKIE’s third industry census, officially titled the UK Games Industry Workforce Demographics Survey, conducted by Professor Mark Taylor between November 2025 and January 2026.
The survey gathered responses from 1,610 UK games industry professionals and documents widespread job instability across the sector. Job losses include redundancies, studio closures, and the conclusion of fixed-term contracts—persistent issues plaguing the industry in recent years. According to the findings, this represents a decrease from the previous survey period, suggesting some stabilization, though employment challenges remain significant.
Beyond headline employment figures, the census highlights additional workforce challenges. The survey identified ongoing issues with workplace representation and diversity, alongside a notable rise in neurodiversity within the industry. A significant sentiment gap emerged across the workforce, indicating divergent perspectives among different segments regarding the industry’s direction, culture, and working conditions.
This third edition of UKIE’s workforce census provides crucial longitudinal data for understanding employment trends, demographic shifts, and workplace health across one of Europe’s largest gaming sectors. The findings underscore persistent structural challenges in job security affecting UK game developers and reinforcing concerns about industry sustainability and worker retention.