---
title: "Global App Market Forecast to Exceed HK$780 Billion in Four Years"
locale: "en"
language: "en-HK"
published: "2016-02-19T11:24:38+08:00"
updated: "2026-03-17T23:05:28.048Z"
canonical: "https://accordhk.com/blog/global-app-market-forecast-to-exceed-hk-780-billion-in-four-years-223"
---

# Global App Market Forecast to Exceed HK$780 Billion in Four Years

The global App market is forecast to exceed US$100 billion, approximately HK$780 billion, by 2020. Rising demand in Asia’s emerging markets, particularly China, is expected to drive growth, while gaming Apps continue to dominate.

## In brief

The 2016 forecast puts the global App market above US$100 billion by 2020, supported by rising demand in Asia’s emerging markets. Asia-Pacific is projected to reach US$57.5 billion, gaming App revenue US$74.6 billion, and global downloads 284.3 billion.

Data indicate that, driven by rising demand in Asia’s emerging markets, the global [mobile application (](<http://app-developer-hongkong.com>)([App](<http://app-development-hongkong.com>)) market will exceed US$100 billion (approximately HK$780 billion) by 2020.

According to the data, this year the [global App market](<http://hongkongappdeveloper.com>) will reach US$50.9 billion, up 24% year on year, and will then grow at an annual rate of 20% over the four years to 2020.

Within this total, the Asia-Pacific [App market](<http://appdeveloperhongkong.com>) will expand to US$57.5 billion by 2020, doubling this year’s estimated US$28.3 billion, driven primarily by the [Chinese App market](<http://appcompanyhk.com>).

Sales at [Apple’s App Store](<http://appscompanyhk.com>) are expected to reach US$44.8 billion by 2020, followed by [Google Play Store](<http://appscompanyhongkong.com>) with sales of US$34 billion. [Gaming Apps](<http://appcompanyhongkong.com>) will dominate the [App market](<http://mobiledeveloperhk.com>) by 2020 with revenue of US$74.6 billion, while [music and video streaming Apps](<http://hkmobiledeveloper.com>) are also expected to become more popular in the future.

This year, [global App](<http://hongkongmobiledeveloper.com>) downloads are expected to rise 33% year on year to 147.3 billion, before increasing further to 284.3 billion by 2020. Industry observers attribute this growth to the increasing number of people worldwide using smartphones for the first time.

http://www2.hkej.com/instantnews/international/article/1241467

## Frequently asked questions

### How large was the global App market forecast to become by 2020?

The 2016 article forecast that the global App market would exceed US$100 billion, approximately HK$780 billion, by 2020. It projected a market size of US$50.9 billion in 2016, up 24% year on year, followed by annual growth of 20% over the four years to 2020.

### What was expected to drive growth in the Asia-Pacific App market?

The article identified China’s App market as the main driver. It forecast that the Asia-Pacific market would double from an estimated US$28.3 billion in 2016 to US$57.5 billion by 2020.

### What sales were forecast for Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store?

Apple’s App Store was expected to reach sales of US$44.8 billion by 2020, followed by Google Play Store at US$34 billion.

### Which types of Apps were expected to lead the market?

Gaming Apps were forecast to dominate the market with revenue of US$74.6 billion by 2020. Music and video streaming Apps were also expected to become more popular.

### Why were global App downloads expected to increase?

Industry observers attributed the increase to more people worldwide using smartphones for the first time. Downloads were forecast to rise 33% to 147.3 billion in 2016 and reach 284.3 billion by 2020.