The EU's app sector has gone from zero to digital superhero
in less than five years. By 2018 it could employ 4.8 million people and
contribute €63 billion to the EU economy according to a report presented in
Brussels today. The study, carried out by GIGAOM for the European Commission,
shows that Europe's app developers are up to the challenge of taking the global
lead. Currently, EU and North American developers generate the same levels (42%
each) of app revenues in crucial EU and US markets. Although the future is
bright, developers have raised concerns about the skills gap, connectivity and
fragmentation which could put the app boom at risk.