Apple cites a pair of research reports that show that its app store app store now supports more than 2.2 million jobs in the United States and increases the income of small developers by 118%. The first of these two studies was the analysis of economists from the apple funded analysis team. It shows that the revenue growth of small app store developers has exceeded that of large developers, more than doubling.
Since 2019, the revenue of small developers who earn less than $1 million a year from the app store and download less than $1 million a year has increased by 118%.
The study also shows that the number of small developers is also growing. Among the new small businesses started in the app store in 2021, 24% are from Europe, 23% from China, 14% from the United States and 34% from South Korea, India and Brazil.
Another data found by economists is that 45% of large developers did not appear on the app store five years ago, or their income was less than $10000. Therefore, the report concludes that the app store helps entrepreneurs start and rapidly expand their business.
Apple also highlighted another study by the Institute of progressive policy, which studies how the IOS application economy has created "millions of jobs".
The two studies Apple highlighted today are far from the company's first sponsored research. Many of the past studies were conducted by analysis companies, mainly focusing on Apple's App Store Commission, the strength of third-party apps and the total business growth in the market.
In recent years, Apple's app store has been under increasing antitrust pressure, including the United States and Europe. Lawmakers around the world are enacting new laws and regulations, which may force apple to change its business practices in the app store, including its commission rate and third-party iPhone App store ban.