Pakistan’s local app development sector saw a sharp decline in 2024, with Android app production falling 55% year-over-year to just 1,700 apps, according to the State of Apps 2024 report[1] by Data Darbar, citing Appfigures data. The report describes the drop as one of the steepest falls in Pakistan’s digital ecosystem to date.
In contrast, iOS app development remained relatively stable, with 784 apps produced during the year, roughly the same level seen since 2022. Analysts suggest that local developers are finding Apple’s platform more financially viable due to stronger monetization options, despite Pakistan being a predominantly Android market.
The report attributes the downturn in Android development to several key challenges, including rising development costs, limited monetization opportunities, and increasing competition from international developers. Many local developers are also reportedly registering their apps and accounts abroad due to payment restrictions and taxation issues, which means they no longer appear in domestic analytics data.
The overall size of Pakistan’s active app development community has also shrunk, falling 26% to just 1,400 developers by the end of 2024, the lowest level recorded in five years. This decline signals an ongoing brain drain from the local digital ecosystem, with more talent relocating or outsourcing work overseas in search of better revenue streams and regulatory stability.
While Pakistan continues to rank among the region’s top markets for app downloads and usage, the decline in local production raises concerns about sustainability. Without policy reforms and incentives to retain developers, the report warns that Pakistan risks becoming primarily a consumer rather than a producer in the global digital economy.
References
- ^ State of Apps 2024 report (insights.datadarbar.io)