ISLAMABAD: Pakistanis spent a staggering 79.1 billion hours using mobile apps in 2024 — a 14.1 percent jump from 69.3 billion hours in 2023 — according to the State of Apps 2024 report by Data Darbar, based on data from data.ai. The figure highlights the country’s deepening reliance on smartphones for communication, entertainment, and work, with total app usage nearly doubling since 2020, when it stood at 39.9 billion hours.
The report found that Pakistan was among the fastest-growing app markets globally, recording nearly triple the global growth rate of 5.5 percent. By comparison, countries such as Egypt, Indonesia, and Mexico saw smaller gains, underscoring Pakistan’s rapid digital adoption fueled by expanding 4G access, affordable smartphones, and growing demand for entertainment and fintech apps.
App downloads in Pakistan rose to 3.56 billion in 2024, up 9.2 percent from the previous year. Social media, video streaming, and mobile banking dominated user preferences, with TikTok, Facebook, Tamasha, JazzCash, and Easypaisa emerging as the top-performing apps.
The report also noted that average monthly mobile data usage reached 8.4 gigabytes per user, reflecting greater engagement with online content.
However, despite the growth, Pakistan continues to face hurdles in local app development and digital infrastructure. The report emphasized that sustaining this digital momentum will require increased investment in connectivity, innovation, and technology to support the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
