Mar 15, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: Middle East – Video Game Consoles – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
The Middle East video game console market is set to experience a steady increase in demand, with a forecasted CAGR of +2.2% from 2023 to 2035. By the end of 2035, the market is projected to reach 3.6 million units and a value of $1.1 billion.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for video game consoles in the Middle East, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.2% for the period from 2023 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3.6M units by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.2% for the period from 2023 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $1.1B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
Middle East’s Consumption of Video Game Consoles
In 2023, consumption of video game consoles decreased by -10.4% to 2.8M units for the first time since 2020, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated a perceptible expansion from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, consumption increased by +45.6% against 2020 indices. The volume of consumption peaked at 3.1M units in 2022, and then fell in the following year.
The value of the video game console market in the Middle East reduced to $813M in 2023, with a decrease of -10.1% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The total consumption indicated a prominent increase from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, consumption increased by +63.2% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $905M, and then fell in the following year.
Consumption By Country
The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2023 were the United Arab Emirates (1M units), Saudi Arabia (651K units) and Iraq (243K units), together comprising 69% of total consumption. Turkey, Israel, Syrian Arab Republic, Kuwait and Qatar lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.
From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Kuwait (with a CAGR of +35.5%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($365M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Saudi Arabia ($159M). It was followed by Israel.
In the United Arab Emirates, the video game console market increased at an average annual rate of +16.3% over the period from 2013-2023. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (+3.0% per year) and Israel (+18.0% per year).
In 2023, the highest levels of video game console per capita consumption was registered in the United Arab Emirates (100 units per 1000 persons), followed by Kuwait (21 units per 1000 persons), Qatar (20 units per 1000 persons) and Israel (19 units per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of video game console was estimated at 7.8 units per 1000 persons.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the video game console per capita consumption in the United Arab Emirates amounted to +13.2%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Kuwait (+32.8% per year) and Qatar (+7.2% per year).
Production
Middle East’s Production of Video Game Consoles
In 2023, the amount of video game consoles produced in the Middle East expanded modestly to 830K units, surging by 1.8% against 2022 figures. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 9.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum volume at 1M units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, production remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, video game console production expanded to $224M in 2023 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 11%. The level of production peaked at $277M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Production By Country
The country with the largest volume of video game console production was Saudi Arabia (651K units), accounting for 78% of total volume. Moreover, video game console production in Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Syrian Arab Republic (179K units), fourfold.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Saudi Arabia was relatively modest.
Imports
Middle East’s Imports of Video Game Consoles
In 2023, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of video game consoles, when their volume decreased by -13.4% to 2.1M units. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 55% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at 2.4M units in 2022, and then dropped in the following year.
In value terms, video game console imports fell to $756M in 2023. Total imports indicated a strong increase from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, imports increased by +53.9% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $773M in 2022, and then contracted in the following year.
Imports By Country
In 2023, the United Arab Emirates (1.1M units) was the main importer of video game consoles, generating 54% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Iraq (243K units), Turkey (209K units) and Israel (196K units), together achieving a 32% share of total imports. Kuwait (91K units), Qatar (61K units), Oman (60K units) and Bahrain (31K units) took a relatively small share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2023, average annual rates of growth with regard to video game console imports into the United Arab Emirates stood at +10.8%. At the same time, Kuwait (+35.5%), Iraq (+12.8%), Israel (+11.2%), Qatar (+9.6%), Bahrain (+4.9%), Oman (+3.7%) and Turkey (+2.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kuwait emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +35.5% from 2013-2023. The United Arab Emirates (+13 p.p.), Iraq (+4.4 p.p.), Kuwait (+4 p.p.) and Israel (+2.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Turkey saw its share reduced by -6% from 2013 to 2023, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.
In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($428M) constitutes the largest market for imported video game consoles in the Middle East, comprising 57% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Israel ($97M), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Iraq, with a 7.3% share.
In the United Arab Emirates, video game console imports increased at an average annual rate of +12.1% over the period from 2013-2023. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Israel (+19.8% per year) and Iraq (+16.3% per year).
Import Prices By Country
In 2023, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $369 per unit, with an increase of 13% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the import price increased by 13%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $436 per unit. From 2020 to 2023, the import prices remained at a lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Israel ($493 per unit), while Turkey ($154 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+16.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports
Middle East’s Exports of Video Game Consoles
In 2023, the amount of video game consoles exported in the Middle East skyrocketed to 114K units, increasing by 23% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 72%. The volume of export peaked at 314K units in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, the exports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, video game console exports surged to $39M in 2023. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 114%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $70M. From 2022 to 2023, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.
Exports By Country
In 2023, the United Arab Emirates (88K units) represented the main exporter of video game consoles, mixing up 77% of total exports. Israel (15K units) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Turkey (10K units). All these countries together took approx. 22% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2023, average annual rates of growth with regard to video game console exports from the United Arab Emirates stood at -3.6%. At the same time, Israel (+24.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Israel emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +24.4% from 2013-2023. By contrast, Turkey (-1.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United Arab Emirates (+25 p.p.), Israel (+12 p.p.) and Turkey (+4.2 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.
In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($28M) remains the largest video game console supplier in the Middle East, comprising 71% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Israel ($6.5M), with a 16% share of total exports.
In the United Arab Emirates, video game console exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2013-2023. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Israel (+11.4% per year) and Turkey (+4.7% per year).
Export Prices By Country
In 2023, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $344 per unit, almost unchanged from the previous year. Export price indicated a perceptible expansion from 2013 to 2023: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, video game console export price increased by +48.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum in 2023 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Israel ($434 per unit), while Turkey ($286 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+6.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
