ReportSensor Tower
2021-2025 Mobile Market Forecast
1 Jan 202153 pages~38 min full read
By 2025, global mobile consumer spending is projected to reach $270 billion, with annual downloads expected to hit 230 billion.
See it on page 10Non-gaming applications are projected to surpass gaming revenue on the Apple App Store by 2024, driven by a shift toward subscription-based business models.
See it on page 36The Apple App Store and Google Play continue to drive the market with compound annual growth rates of 21% and 17%, respectively.
See it on page 34Europe is emerging as a high-growth territory with a 23% compound annual growth rate in consumer spending.
See it on page 18While adoption is slowing in mature markets like the United States and Germany, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines are becoming the primary drivers of download volume.
See it on page 23The global mobile application market is poised for substantial expansion, with consumer spending projected to reach $270 billion and annual downloads expected to hit 230 billion by 2025. While the rapid acceleration in adoption triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic is normalizing, the industry maintains a resilient growth trajectory. The App Store and Google Play continue to serve as the primary engines of this economy, sustaining strong compound annual growth rates of 21% and 17%, respectively.
A significant structural shift is underway as non-game applications increasingly drive revenue, with projections indicating that non-gaming spend will surpass gaming revenue on the App Store by 2024. This transition is fueled by the widespread adoption of subscription-based business and lifestyle models, reflecting a permanent change in consumer digital behavior. While mature markets like the United States and Germany show signs of slowing adoption, emerging regions such as India, Indonesia, and the Philippines are becoming critical drivers of volume. Simultaneously, Europe is emerging as a high-growth territory, boasting a 23% compound annual growth rate in consumer spending.
These findings underscore a maturing mobile ecosystem where strategic success depends on navigating the divergence between gaming and non-gaming sectors. As the market evolves, stakeholders must leverage data-driven intelligence to optimize competitive strategies and capitalize on the shifting preferences of a global user base. By focusing on high-growth geographic regions and the rising dominance of subscription-based utility apps, developers and marketers can effectively position themselves within the broader mobile economy through 2025.
