The global mobile economy grew 3% to $171 billion in 2023, supported by a $362 billion advertising market projected to exceed $400 billion in the coming year.
See it on page 14Mobile gaming spending contracted by 2% as the industry consolidated around established high-fidelity IPs and social multiplayer genres, though titles like Monopoly GO and Honkai: Star Rail proved that high-quality debuts remain viable.
See it on page 31Non-gaming apps reached a record $64 billion in consumer spend, highlighted by TikTok becoming the first non-game app to surpass $10 billion in lifetime revenue.
See it on page 65Daily user engagement in leading markets surpassed five hours, driven by social media tipping, video streaming subscriptions, and the rapid integration of generative AI.
See it on page 63The finance sector saw a surge in personal loan apps and 'Super Apps' as a response to global inflation, while travel and ticketing apps experienced record-breaking demand.
See it on page 47Retail platforms based in China, such as Temu, achieved a structural market shift by capturing significant global market share.
See it on page 54The global mobile economy experienced a significant recovery in 2023, with consumer spending rising 3% to $171 billion and daily engagement surpassing five hours per user in leading markets. While mobile gaming faced a slight 2% contraction in spending due to economic headwinds and a shift toward longer title life cycles, the broader industry was bolstered by a resilient non-gaming sector. This growth was primarily driven by social media "tipping," video streaming subscriptions, and the rapid emergence of generative AI. Mobile advertising also remained a cornerstone of the ecosystem, reaching $362 billion with projections to exceed $400 billion in the coming year.
The landscape is increasingly defined by a shift in consumer behavior and monetization strategies. Non-gaming apps reached a record $64 billion in spend, led by TikTok, which became the first non-game app to surpass $10 billion in lifetime revenue. In contrast, the gaming market saw a decline in new hit releases, with the industry consolidating around established high-fidelity IPs and social multiplayer genres like Creative Sandbox and Battle Royale. Despite this consolidation, breakout successes like Monopoly GO and Honkai: Star Rail demonstrated that high-quality debuts can still disrupt saturated markets.
Across various sectors, mobile integration has reached unprecedented levels. Travel and ticketing apps saw record-breaking demand as consumers returned to in-person events, while the finance sector experienced a surge in personal loan apps and "Super Apps" amid global inflation. Retail also underwent a structural shift as China-based platforms like Temu gained significant global market share. Ultimately, the 2023 data reflects a mature mobile market where growth is increasingly tied to sophisticated AI integration, creator-driven economies, and the transition of traditional services into comprehensive digital hubs.
