The global App Economy was born 17 years ago, in July 2008, when Apple unveiled the first App Store. Soon after, Google opened the Android Market, which later became Google Play. In this way, Apple and Google created a whole new global market for mobile applications, leading to an unprecedented wave of mobile apps in gaming, entertainment, social media, finance, e-commerce, productivity, health, and other areas.
In addition to benefiting smartphone users, the App Economy has become a potent source of job growth worldwide and in Mexico. Starting from zero 17 years ago, the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) estimates that Mexico’s App Economy includes 271,000 workers as of August 2025. These include workers who help develop, maintain, and support mobile applications and keep them safe and secure. In an increasingly mobile-centric world, the App Economy provides an exciting opportunity for Mexico to grow.
This paper estimates the number of workers employed in Mexico’s App Economy using a methodology we have applied globally. We estimate the size of the iOS and Android ecosystems and give examples of App Economy jobs in Mexico. We discuss how these developers and other workers create, maintain, and support a wide range of apps spanning various sectors and activities across the economy.
