Google Play and Android platforms were a dominant force in the economy of India in 2024, making an estimated ₹4 lakh crore in revenues for app developers and the larger economic ecosystem, said a recent report by economics and policy research company Public First.
The report points out India's booming digital economy, one of the world's largest and fastest-expanding. It is being fueled by the mass adoption of smartphones, low-cost internet access, and a vibrant ecosystem of developers and entrepreneurs.
These dynamics are transforming the way millions around the country interact with the digital economy, the report added.
Android, the world's most popular mobile operating system, powers a huge number of smart devices such as phones, tablets, and laptops. Google Play is its main platform for app delivery and digital services.
"In 2024, the Play and Android ecosystem generated Rs 4 lakh crore in revenue for app publishers and the broader economy in India," the report said.
The economic contribution of the app economy extends beyond the revenue. It also significantly contributed to job creation, as more than 35 lakh direct, indirect, and spillover jobs have been created via Google Play and Android platforms.
India is also world-leading in terms of developer participation. India has the second-largest active developer base on Google Play, with over 10 lakh developer positions contributing to the ecosystem.
A large worldwide presence is also apparent, with close to 79% of Indian app developers serving global users. In downloads, Indian developers have seen an astronomical 720 crore downloads on the Play Store for 2024—600 crore from local users and another 120 crore from global users.
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