--- title: "270% Growth in Two Years: Mainland China Leads Global App Spending as Google Misses Billions" locale: "en" language: "en-HK" published: "2018-01-24T11:16:31+08:00" updated: "2026-03-17T23:03:58.630Z" canonical: "https://accordhk.com/blog/270-growth-in-two-years-mainland-china-leads-global-app-spending-as-google-misses-billions-164" --- # 270% Growth in Two Years: Mainland China Leads Global App Spending as Google Misses Billions Mainland China became the world’s largest app consumer market in 2017, with spending approaching US$35 billion. Growth exceeded 270% over two years, while Google’s withdrawal left it missing out on billions in annual revenue. ## In brief Mainland China led global app spending in 2017, with nearly US$35 billion in spending and growth exceeding 270% over two years. Google’s absence benefited Apple and local Android app stores, while App Annie anticipated different growth paths for major cities and smaller cities and rural areas. According to a report released by an app analytics platform on the 17th, mainland Chinese smartphone users’ total [app]() spending in 2017 alone approached US$35 billion (approximately NT$1 trillion), making mainland China the world’s largest app consumer market. However, after Google withdrew from the market in 2010, many local [apps]() seized the opportunity to grow, leaving Google missing out on billions of US dollars in revenue each year. According to CNBC, [mainland China’s app market]() is growing at a remarkable pace, with growth exceeding 270% over two years and potentially accelerating further. However, only Apple’s App Store and Android app stores operated by mainland Chinese companies such as Tencent and Baidu can capture a share of this market. When Google withdrew eight years ago, it also took most of its services, including the Google Play Store, offline in the market, and they have yet to return. Many mainland Chinese companies have also launched apps to seize the opportunity, with Tencent Video, iQIYI, Kuaishou and QQ among the top 10 apps by consumer spending. Although mainland Chinese users can still access the Play Store through a VPN, the data shows that very few use this route. ![▲▼ A report released by app analytics platform App Annie on the 17th shows that mainland Chinese smartphone users’ total app spending in 2017 alone approached US$35 billion, making mainland China the world’s largest app consumer market. (Image: reproduced from the App Annie website)]() **▲ Mainland China became the world’s largest app consumer market.** App Annie predicts that mainland China’s app market will develop along two paths: an “urban version” and a “small-city and rural version.” Consumer spending in the former, including cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, is approaching saturation. The latter is still at an early stage, with users only beginning to become familiar with smartphones. The data shows that global app downloads exceeded 175 billion last year, while consumer spending surpassed US$86 billion, more than doubling compared with 2015. People spent an average of three hours a day using apps. Mainland China maintained its position as the world leader, while India’s market grew by 215% last year, making it the world’s second-largest country by app downloads and pushing the United States from second place to third. https://goo.gl/JGZcge ## Frequently asked questions ### How large was mainland China’s app consumer market in 2017? Smartphone users’ app spending approached US$35 billion, approximately NT$1 trillion, making mainland China the world’s largest app consumer market. The article reports growth exceeding 270% over two years. ### Why was Google missing out on app revenue in mainland China? Google withdrew from the market in 2010 and took most of its services, including the Google Play Store, offline there. At the time of the article, those services had yet to return, leaving Google missing out on billions of US dollars in annual revenue. ### Could mainland Chinese users still access the Play Store? Users could access the Play Store through a VPN. However, the data cited in the article showed that very few did so. ### How did App Annie expect mainland China’s app market to develop? App Annie anticipated separate paths for major cities and for smaller cities and rural areas. Spending in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai was approaching saturation, while users in smaller cities and rural areas were only beginning to become familiar with smartphones.