Europe is playing a significant role in the development of apps with 22 per cent of all apps produced globally being made in the EU, according to new research.

In the EU28 countries, the European App Economy report found that the apps sector contributes 529,000 jobs directly and a total of 794,000 jobs across the whole economy. Three-fifths of directly related jobs are developer roles with the remaining two-fifths composed of IT and product managers, analysts and marketing professionals.

The app economy in the EU28 generated annual revenue of €10.2 billion in 2012, and is projected to rise to €14.9 billion in 2016, according to the research conducted by VisionMobile.

The report forecasts that revenue from app-related products around the globe will hit €51 billion in 2013. App stores will generate €9.1 billion, with the remaining 82 per cent of revenue coming from other sources such as contracted services, advertising and e-commerce sales.

In terms of other regions where apps are made, 42 per cent start life in North America and 18 per cent are created in Asia Pacific, followed by the Middle East and Africa (7 per cent), Latin America (6 per cent) and the rest of Europe (5 per cent).

European Commissioner Neelie Kroes said the report is a “wake-up call” as it shows that the app economy accounts for hundreds of thousands of jobs in the EU despite the sector not even existing five years ago.

Kroes said that as well as the size, the structure and variety of the sector is also important, with giants like Facebook and YouTube existing alongside one-man developers — a source of hope in the current economic climate.

“For me, the app economy is a great example of what happens if you create the right environment; give people the framework to create. Borderless, open, and as innovative as your imagination. Now we need to bring that philosophy to other levels of the digital ecosystem. To support the app economy to the full,” she said.

One way in which public organisations can help app makers is to open public data and new EU rules aim to do this, allowing re-use of data at a low cost or for free. Kroes also emphasised the need for faster networks and more spectrum to support this.

Kroes noted that the European Commission is conducting its own study (Eurapp) to determine the size of the app economy, “so that economy can be further supported by the Digital Agenda and other initiatives”.