Consumers Spent $170 Billion on App Downloads Worldwide in 2021

According to App Annie’s latest State of Mobile 2022 report, worldwide consumer spending on mobile apps across iOS, Google Play, and third-party Android app stores in China reached $170 billion in 2021 (via TechCrunch).

In terms of app downloads, 230 billion were downloaded worldwide in 2021 setting another record. The report also highlights that global app download growth is being driven largely by emerging markets like Pakistan, India, Peru, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Egypt.

There were 233 apps and games that pulled in more than $100 million in 2021, and 13 titles that generated over $1 billion. This is up 20% from 2020, when there were then 193 apps and games topping the $100 million mark, and only 8 titles making over $1 billion annually.

This increased time spent in apps has had a direct impact on consumer spending. In the U.S., the COVID-19 pandemic’s lingering effects have forced users to shop, work, learn, game and entertain themselves from home over the past year. This led to “phenomenal” growth in consumer spending, App Annie said, as the market added $43 billion in 2021, or $10.4 billion more than 2020, equating to 30% year-over-year growth — higher than the global average.

New mobile app releases also grew in 2021, with publishers launching 2 million new apps and games across the App Store and Google Play.