Pakistan’s mobile app development industry experienced a significant downturn in 2024, with Android app output plunging 55% year-over-year to just 1,700 new apps. This sharp decline, detailed in the State of Apps 2024 report by Data Darbar using Appfigures data, marks one of the most severe setbacks in the country’s digital development history. In contrast, iOS app production remained steady, with 784 apps developed during the year—a figure consistent since 2022. Despite Android’s dominance in the local smartphone market, more developers are gravitating toward Apple’s ecosystem due to its stronger monetization potential and more predictable revenue streams.
Key factors driving the collapse in Android app creation include rising development costs, limited local monetization infrastructure, and intensifying global competition. Developers are increasingly opting to register their apps and accounts outside Pakistan to bypass local payment restrictions and taxation hurdles. This shift results in underrepresentation in local data, as many apps created by Pakistan-based developers are now attributed to foreign markets.
The decline extends beyond app production. Pakistan’s active developer community has contracted by 26%, leaving only 1,400 developers at the end of 2024—the lowest number in half a decade. This trend reflects a broader brain drain, with skilled talent either relocating or shifting their focus to international freelancing opportunities. The lack of local support structures and financial viability is pushing developers to seek stability and growth elsewhere.
While Pakistan continues to generate strong app download and user engagement metrics, the sharp drop in domestic app creation signals deeper structural issues. Without strategic policy reforms, better financial incentives, and a more developer-friendly regulatory framework, the country risks eroding its position in the digital economy and becoming primarily a consumer market, rather than a hub for innovation and production.
