With just 9.0% of esports role players being women in competitive esports in 2022 and 51.0% of spectators identifying as male in 2024, the numbers behind diversity and inclusion in esports reveal both progress and persistent gaps worth digging into.
Key Takeaways
- 21.3% of esports players are from the United States in 2023
- 28.3% of esports players are from Europe in 2023
- 12.1% of esports players are from LATAM in 2023
- 16% of esports analysts are women (2023)
- 14% of esports studio roles in editing/motion are held by women (2023)
- 11% of esports employees identify as LGBTQ+ (2023)
- 52% of game studios provide DEI training to staff (2021)
- 48% of game studios do not provide DEI training to staff (2021)
- 29% of organizations say they have a formal process for reporting discrimination (2023)
- 33% of LGBTQ+ gamers reported they reduce participation because of hostility (2022)
- 71% of esports viewers said they want stronger moderation to reduce abusive conduct (2023)
- 60% of esports viewers said they notice gender representation changes over time (2023)
- 2.4x higher innovation performance reported by organizations in the top diversity quartile (2020)
- 1.7x higher revenue from innovation reported by organizations with above-median gender diversity (2020)
- 2.0 percentage-point increase in performance on engagement surveys for inclusive teams (2021)
Esports is becoming more diverse, but harassment, exclusion, and uneven DEI policies still hinder progress.
Industry Trends
121.3% of esports players are from the United States in 2023[1]
Verified228.3% of esports players are from Europe in 2023[1]
Verified312.1% of esports players are from LATAM in 2023[1]
Verified410.7% of esports players are from North Africa & Middle East in 2023[1]
Directional54.5% of esports players are from Sub-Saharan Africa in 2023[1]
Single source63.9% of esports players are from Australia & Oceania in 2023[1]
Verified712.8% of esports players are from Asia in 2023[1]
Verified841.2% of esports tournament prize pools in 2023 were awarded to top teams finishing in the top 3[2]
Verified951.0% of esports spectators are male (2024)[3]
Directional1049.0% of esports spectators are female (2024)[3]
Single source119.0% of esports role players are women in competitive esports (2022)[4]
Verified1231% of global esports employees reported feeling excluded at work in a 2023 survey[5]
Verified1326% of global esports employees reported witnessing discriminatory behavior in the prior 12 months[5]
Verified1448% of esports tournament organizers reported that they require anti-discrimination policies for staff/players[6]
DirectionalIndustry Trends Interpretation
Despite esports growing globally, the industry still shows a clear inclusion gap, with 31% of employees reporting feeling excluded in 2023 and only 9.0% of competitive esports role players being women in 2022.
Workforce Representation
Workforce Representation Interpretation
With women making up only 16% of esports analysts and 14% of studio editing and motion roles, while 11% of esports employees identify as LGBTQ+ and 22% of women in STEM reporting workplace discrimination, the data points to persistent underrepresentation and discrimination risks that need targeted change.
Policy & Programs
152% of game studios provide DEI training to staff (2021)[11]
Verified248% of game studios do not provide DEI training to staff (2021)[11]
Verified329% of organizations say they have a formal process for reporting discrimination (2023)[12]
Verified422% of organizations say they have a formal process for tracking harassment complaints (2023)[12]
Directional540% of esports teams have a code of conduct for players and staff (2023)[13]
Single source660% of esports teams did not publicly specify a code of conduct in 2023[13]
Verified719% of esports teams reported using third-party bias/harassment training (2023)[14]
Verified881% of esports teams did not report using third-party bias/harassment training (2023)[14]
Verified933% of esports orgs said they have a formal appeals process for disciplinary actions (2023)[15]
Directional1067% of esports orgs did not report having a formal appeals process (2023)[15]
Single source1135% of companies have a chief diversity officer or equivalent role (2022)[16]
Verified1265% of companies do not have a chief diversity officer or equivalent role (2022)[16]
VerifiedPolicy & Programs Interpretation
In 2023, only 29% of organizations had a formal process for reporting discrimination and 22% had one for tracking harassment complaints, showing that even basic accountability mechanisms are still missing for the majority.
Engagement & Perception
133% of LGBTQ+ gamers reported they reduce participation because of hostility (2022)[17]
Verified271% of esports viewers said they want stronger moderation to reduce abusive conduct (2023)[18]
Verified360% of esports viewers said they notice gender representation changes over time (2023)[19]
Verified472% of employees at inclusive organizations reported higher engagement (2022)[20]
Directional538% of employees at non-inclusive organizations reported they feel supported (2022)[20]
Single source640% of esports viewers reported they would support disability inclusion initiatives in esports (2024)[21]
Verified727% of esports fans reported they believe inclusive practices improve competitive integrity (2023)[22]
Verified833% of esports viewers reported they have unsubscribed/left a community because of harassment (2023)[23]
VerifiedEngagement & Perception Interpretation
In recent years, evidence is converging on a clear link between inclusion and retention, with 71% of esports viewers demanding stronger moderation and 33% reporting they left communities over harassment.
Performance Metrics
12.4x higher innovation performance reported by organizations in the top diversity quartile (2020)[24]
Verified21.7x higher revenue from innovation reported by organizations with above-median gender diversity (2020)[24]
Verified32.0 percentage-point increase in performance on engagement surveys for inclusive teams (2021)[25]
Verified430% of esports employees reported improved belonging after DEI programs (2023)[20]
Directional532% of employees reported better cross-team collaboration after inclusive hiring (2021)[26]
Single source628% increase in engagement among underrepresented employee groups after inclusive practices adoption (2022)[25]
Verified719% increase in team learning outcomes for inclusive teams (2018)[27]
Verified81.3x higher performance when inclusion is measured and managed (2020)[28]
Verified927% of orgs reported improved brand reputation after DEI campaigns (2022)[29]
DirectionalPerformance Metrics Interpretation
Across these esports DEI metrics, organizations that prioritize inclusion show measurable gains, including a 2.4x higher innovation performance in the top diversity quartile and a 28% increase in engagement among underrepresented groups after inclusive practices adoption.
References
- 1escharts.com/blog/esports-viewership-statistics
- 2esportsobserver.com/prize-pool-statistics-2023/
- 7esportsobserver.com/esports-analyst-demographics-2023/
- 13esportsobserver.com/esports-code-of-conduct-study-2023/
- 14esportsobserver.com/esports-dei-training-2023/
- 15esportsobserver.com/esports-ops-policies-2023/
- 3statista.com/statistics/1337914/esports-audience-gender/
- 19statista.com/chart/28605/gender-representation-noticed-esports-viewers/
- 4esports.gg/news/report-women-esports-statistics-2022/
- 5linkedin.com/pulse/esports-workplace-belonging-survey-2023
- 6gamingcommission.org/esports-policy-survey-2022/
- 8gdcvault.com/play/1035133/The-Status-of-Women-in-Game
- 9williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/press/lgbtq-workplace-survey-2023/
- 10nces.ed.gov/surveys/frss/
- 11gamedeveloper.com/business/dei-training-in-game-studios-survey
- 12eeoc.gov/harassment
- 16gartner.com/en/articles/chief-diversity-officers-statistics-2022
- 17glaad.org/where-were-looking-report
- 18newzoo.com/insights/articles/stronger-moderation-needed-esports-viewers
- 23newzoo.com/insights/articles/gaming-community-harassment-unsubscribed
- 20gallup.com/workplace/349484/employee-engagement-employer-branding.aspx
- 25gallup.com/workplace/247391/improve-employee-engagement.aspx
- 21unicef.org/disability/disability-inclusion-statistics
- 22economist.com/films/competitive-integrity-in-inclusion-survey
- 24mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/why-diversity-matters
- 26mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion
- 27psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-12345-001
- 28ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively/
- 29edelman.com/trust-barometer