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Pakistan’s Android app development industry suffered a major setback in 2024, with output plunging by 55% year-over-year to just 1,700 apps, according to the State of Apps 2024 report by Data Darbar, citing figures from Appfigures. The report described this decline as one of the sharpest drops ever recorded in Pakistan’s digital economy.
In contrast, iOS app development showed stability, with 784 new apps created during the same period; a level consistent with production since 2022. Industry analysts suggest that Apple’s platform offers better monetization opportunities, making it more appealing for developers despite Pakistan’s primarily Android user base.
The report attributes the fall in Android app development to multiple factors, including higher development costs, reduced earning potential, and stiff competition from international developers. Moreover, many local app creators have begun registering their developer accounts overseas to avoid payment restrictions and tax complications, which means their work no longer reflects in local app analytics.
Adding to the concerns, the size of Pakistan’s active app developer community also contracted by 26%, dropping to around 1,400 by the end of 2024, the lowest in five years. This decline highlights a growing brain drain within Pakistan’s tech industry, as skilled developers increasingly seek international clients or relocate abroad for more stable income and supportive regulatory environments.
Experts warn that if these challenges persist, Pakistan’s once-promising app development ecosystem may struggle to regain its momentum, further limiting the country’s role in the global digital marketplace.
