The Apple App Store continues to showcase the rapid growth of India’s digital economy, with Rs. 44,447 crore (US$ 5.23 billion) in billings and sales generated by the App Store in India during 2024. This impressive figure was revealed in a report commissioned by Apple and conducted by Professor Mr. Viswanath Pingali from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad. The report highlights the significant impact of the App Store on both the Indian app ecosystem and the global reach of India-based developers.

According to the findings, an astounding 94% of the billings and sales in the Apple App Store ecosystem directly benefitted app developers, with Apple not taking any commission. This business model has positioned the App Store as a key player in empowering developers and driving India’s digital economy forward.

India’s Developer Growth

The economic success of the App Store is underscored by the fact that India-based developers have seen a tripling of their global earnings over the past five years. In 2024, developers in India earned a total of Rs. 38,906 crore (US$ 4.58 billion), driven by a combination of revenue from physical goods, services, and digital content. The breakdown of earnings is as follows:

• Rs. 3,014 crore (US$ 354.54 million) came from in-app advertising.

• Rs. 2,527 crore (US$ 297.25 million) was generated from digital goods and services.

What’s especially noteworthy is that 80% of the earnings by Indian developers were generated from users outside India, highlighting the global nature of India’s app economy. Furthermore, 87% of developers in India were engaged with multiple storefronts, allowing them to reach users across diverse platforms and countries.

Global Download Numbers

The reach of India-based apps continues to grow at an exponential rate, with a reported 755 million global downloads in 2024 — double the number from five years ago. This surge reflects the growing popularity of Indian apps worldwide, with many apps now ranking in the top 100 most downloaded apps in 70 storefronts outside of India. This success is a testament to the global appeal of Indian innovation and the increasing recognition of Indian app developers in international markets.

Tim Cook’s Praise for the App Store Ecosystem

In response to the impressive growth of the App Store ecosystem in India, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook described the ecosystem as an "economic miracle" for developers around the world. He emphasized how the Apple App Store provides developers with an open and powerful platform to build, grow, and monetize their apps, with India standing out as one of the key contributors to this success.

Tim Cook also acknowledged that the economic impact of the App Store in India extends beyond just monetary values. The platform fosters creativity, encourages innovation, and helps develop a vibrant digital economy that is transforming India into a major hub for tech development and entrepreneurship.

India's Growing Role in the Global App Economy

The Apple App Store’s success in India aligns with broader trends seen in the Indian tech ecosystem, with the country emerging as a global leader in app development. The growth of India-based developers, coupled with the global reach of Indian apps, underscores the country’s increasingly important role in shaping the future of digital technologies and mobile innovations.

The Apple App Store continues to serve as a crucial pillar in this transformation, providing developers with the tools, resources, and global platform they need to thrive. This, in turn, contributes to India’s reputation as a digital powerhouse capable of competing on the world stage.

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, the Apple App Store will likely continue to be a key growth driver for India’s app economy, fostering even greater opportunities for developers to innovate, scale, and monetize their creations. As more developers from India enter the global stage, India’s economic influence will only grow, making it a pivotal player in the global digital economy.

India’s success story in the Apple App Store ecosystem serves as a beacon of hope and an inspiration for startups, entrepreneurs, and developers looking to make their mark in the digital world. With continued government support for digital initiatives, improved infrastructure, and a growing talent pool, India’s app ecosystem is poised for further growth, ensuring that the future of the digital economy will be shaped by India.

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