The Visual Effects & Animation World Atlas 2025 Edition, published by Animation Magazine on July 29, 2025 and backed by UK Screen Alliance and the British Film Commission, reveals a modest 1% net global growth in the VFX and animation workforce over the past year.
The detailed survey covers 123,635 professionals across 2,450 studios globally, tracked through public profiles and industry listings.
📊 Growth & Contraction Trends
- Workforce expanded by 9.3% in H2 2024, indicating strong hiring and project momentum.
- This was followed by a 7.6% contraction in H1 2025, likely tied to high-profile studio closures—such as Technicolor’s shuttering of The Mill and MPC, and Jellyfish Pictures—particularly impacting London (~500 jobs lost).
🌍 Leading Global VFX & Animation Hubs
| City | Workforce Size |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | ~12,354 professionals |
| Mumbai | ~10,866 professionals |
| London | ~10,564 professionals |
Notably, Mumbai now ranks ahead of London as a global hub, reflecting India’s expanding presence in the international VFX value chain.
💷 Policy Shifts & Regional Incentives
In response to industry challenges, the U.K. raised tax rebates to 29.25% for VFX and animation, more than doubling support for eligible projects. Smaller-budget productions also benefit from a 39.25% rebate, which could help revive hiring momentum through the rest of 2025.
According to UK Screen Alliance, 71% of members reported increased sales inquiries post-incentive rollout—with 43% citing significant growth potential for 5–10% industry expansion in the coming months
