What is the future of the U.K. App Economy? According to the Progressive Policy Institute’s latest estimate, the United Kingdom App Economy includes 667,000 jobs.
None of these jobs existed 15 years ago, when Apple first opened the App Store on July 10, 2008, in the middle of the global financial crisis. Android Market (which later became Google Play) was announced by Google shortly after. These app stores created a new route through which software developers could write programs for smartphones. These mobile applications — called “apps” — could then be distributed to the rapidly growing number of smartphone users around the world.
The jobs generated by the app stores became an important part of the recovery from the financial crisis of 2008-2009, the subsequent economic expansion and the response to the pandemic. More than that, app development became a key route by which young people can develop tech skills and became an integral part of the digital economy.
This report describes some important aspects of the U.K. App Economy. We also give some examples of App Economy jobs and skills development.
