The study Study
"Sizing the EU App Economy" shows that The EU's app sector
has gone from zero to digital superhero in less than five years. By 2018 it
could employ 4.8 million people and contribute €63 billion to the EU economy.
Today the app economy employs 1 million developers, and
800,000 people in marketing & support posts. This could rise to 2.7 million
developers + 2.1 million support staff by 2018. EU buyers and advertisers spent
€6.1 billion on apps in 2013, 30% of total global app spending, growing to
€18.7 billion in 2018. Consumer spending combined with advertising and
contract work could lead to €63 billion annual revenue for the app sector
within five years.
The study
is part of Startup Europe, a Digital Agenda initiative supported by Neelie
Kroes to promote ICT and web entrepreneurship in Europe and to help the
companies flourish in Europe.
It includes six activities: The Accelerator Assembly, the European Crowdfunding Network,
The Web Investors Forum, the Leaders Club, the Startup Europe
Partnership and improving Web Skills via MOOCS (being launched in
2014).
Some other insights: