Islamabad, Pakistan – Apps developed by Pakistani software programmers and tech companies were downloaded more than 4 billion times globally in 2022, according to data presented by Google at an event in Islamabad.
The number of downloads has jumped from just over 1 billion in 2016 to reaching the 4 billion milestone last year. Google cited data from its analytics platforms showing the growth in downloads on both Android and iOS devices across 175 countries.
“This marks an important milestone for Pakistan’s tech ecosystem,” said Farhan Qureshi, regional director for Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Google. He highlighted gaming apps by companies like Caramel Tech Studios and utility apps from TechAbout and Symmetry Group as major contributors to the growth.
The countries downloading Pakistani-origin apps the most were Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United States, India and Iraq. Education and gaming apps saw some of the highest demand internationally.
Experts pointed to increased smartphone usage and internet access driving app downloads, along with improved quality and marketing of apps. Government initiatives like the Digital Pakistan policy have also boosted the tech and software development sector.
“Pakistani developers have proven their mettle on the global stage,” said tech analyst Aisha Sarwari. “With the right support and policies in place, they are on track to hit even bigger milestones in the future.”
The app economy’s growth signals the rapid evolution of Pakistan’s information technology industry. Analysts expect app downloads to continue rising, potentially hitting 5 billion in 2023.
