---
title: "SME Challenges: App Developer Shortage Affects Business Growth"
locale: "en"
language: "en-HK"
published: "2019-07-17T23:32:16+08:00"
updated: "2026-03-17T23:03:10.405Z"
canonical: "https://accordhk.com/blog/sme-challenges-app-developer-shortage-affects-business-growth-133"
---

# SME Challenges: App Developer Shortage Affects Business Growth

Hong Kong's 2019 mobile apps industry survey highlighted strong demand for app developers. Despite slightly higher business revenues and a more positive view of the business environment, 66% of respondents identified staffing shortages as their biggest operational problem.

## In brief

App developer shortages were a major obstacle for Hong Kong businesses in 2019: 66% of survey respondents considered insufficient development staff their biggest operational problem, despite slightly higher revenues than in 2017.

The Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association and the Hong Kong Productivity Council recently released the Hong Kong Mobile Apps Industry Survey Report 2019. The survey interviewed 100 local Hong Kong [smartphone app](<http://app-developer-hongkong.com>)[ developers](<http://app-development-hk.com>) and [related businesses](<http://app-developer-hong-kong.com>) to understand the industry's current market and operating conditions. The report shows that a shortage of [app](<http://app-development-hong-kong.com>) developers can affect business operations and growth.

Regarding current salaries for [mobile app development](<http://apps-developer-hk.com>) engineers in Hong Kong, 69% earn HK$20,000 to HK$39,000 per month. The proportion earning HK$10,000 to HK$19,000 per month fell from 45% in 2017 to 23% this year. These figures show that [app developers](<http://apps-developer-hong-kong.com>) are currently in high demand.

Annual revenue figures for the surveyed businesses showed a slight increase in 2019 compared with 2017. The proportion of businesses with revenue above HK$20 million rose from 5% in 2017 to 9% in 2019. Businesses with revenue below HK$500,000 accounted for 15%, down 9% from 2017. Although businesses viewed the business environment for [app development](<http://apps-development-hk.com>) more positively, 66% of respondents considered a shortage of [app development](<http://apps-development-hong-kong.com>) staff to be the biggest problem facing their business operations.

Original article URL: https://bit.ly/2Y8XZYv

## Frequently asked questions

### Who conducted the 2019 Hong Kong mobile apps industry survey?

The report was released by the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association and the Hong Kong Productivity Council. The survey interviewed 100 local smartphone app developers and related businesses.

### What was the biggest operational problem identified in the survey?

A shortage of app development staff was identified as the biggest operational problem by 66% of respondents. The report indicated that talent shortages could affect business operations and growth.

### What salaries did Hong Kong mobile app development engineers earn in 2019?

The article states that 69% earned HK$20,000 to HK$39,000 per month. The proportion earning HK$10,000 to HK$19,000 fell from 45% in 2017 to 23% in 2019.

### How did surveyed businesses' revenues change between 2017 and 2019?

Annual revenues showed a slight increase. The proportion of businesses earning more than HK$20 million rose from 5% in 2017 to 9% in 2019, while those earning less than HK$500,000 accounted for 15%, down 9% from 2017.