1 in 5 people working in the UK games industry are women, says new survey

The newly published results of Creative Skillset’s 2015 employment census show that 1 in 5  of the 10,000 people employed in the UK games industry are women. Onwards and upwards…

The census reveals that the games industry is the fourth-largest employer after TV, film and radio in creative media, and there’s some good news for women. However, there’s slightly less good news for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups. Findings from the survey are below.

And the games industry survey says…

• UK games industry employment figures have doubled in size since 2009, now standing at 10,300 workers.
• 2,000 of these workers are women (19% of the games workforce, compared to 14% (800 women in games) in 2009.
• The figures for BAME workers in games are disappointingly low, with only 400 people (4%). The UK average for BAME employment across all industries is 10%, or 1 in 10. The games industry figures are similar to those for film, post production and animation (BAME workers make up 1 in 20). However, similarity is no reason to rest and do nothing – the figure needs to rise, and fast.

The 2015 Creative Skillsets employment census received 657 responses from 104 games industry employers (compared to 34 in 2012). The full results have been published here.

Photos: Women in Games Jobs Conference 2015

Women in Games is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to recruit and support women in games, with interviews, inspiration and knowledge-sharing from female games industry professionals.

WIGJ founder David Smith says:

“This data to our industry that is so vitally important.  Industry growth brings opportunities for everyone; Women in Games seeks to double the number of women in the games industry by 2025. It is encouraging for the long-term that employers are able to find more diverse talent to bring increasing success to the future games industry in the UK.”

Read more about women in games on Mookychick

• What’s it like to be a concept artist at an indie game studio? (Interview with Marina Ortega from Pixelbomb)
• Matt looks at why he almost never plays as a woman in video games (but would like to)