The global app economy generated nearly 112.1 billion app downloads in 2025, but that volume isn’t evenly distributed. A handful of countries account for a disproportionate share of installs worldwide, while a number of emerging markets are seeing strong growth, offering attractive opportunities for scale and user acquisition.
This report breaks down app downloads by country using AppTweak’s Market Intelligence, showing which markets lead in volume, where growth is accelerating fastest, and how platform differences shape regional potential.
Key takeaways
- India is now the largest app downloads market, with about 19.1B installs in the last year, representing 17% of global app downloads
- The United States ranks second in app download volume (12.6B, 11.2% share) while also delivering a disproportionate chunk of global app revenue, making it extremely valuable per install
- Brazil, Indonesia, and Mexico complete the top five by volume, each contributing between 4–8% of worldwide app installs
- Global app downloads declined by roughly 4.1% year-over-year, yet global app revenues increased by around 10.5%, indicating stronger monetization despite softer volume
- Top 10 countries account for roughly 60% of all app downloads, making them critical battlegrounds for user acquisition strategies
- Some emerging or mid-sized markets (e.g. South Africa, Hong Kong, certain European countries) stand out for strong positive growth in app downloads, making them interesting expansion targets beyond the “usual suspects”
Methodology
This data was derived from AppTweak’s App Market Intelligence. The dataset covers Nov 1, 2024 to November 30, 2025 and reflects performance across the App Store & Google Play. The ranking is created by looking at each country’s estimated downloads across all app categories, from the App Store and Google Play and ordering them from highest to lowest.
- Data source: AppTweak Market Intelligence
- Coverage: App Store and Google Play
- Metric: App downloads
- Time period: November 1, 2024 – November 30, 2025
- App categories: All
- Last updated: December 2025
What are the top 10 countries by app downloads in 2025?
India has emerged as the clear leader in app downloads, generating an estimated 19.1B installs over the last 12 months. The United States follows with 12.6B app downloads, with Brazil, Indonesia, and Mexico rounding out the top five. Together, the top five countries account for around 46% of all app installs worldwide, while the top ten represent nearly 60% of global volume.
Top 10 countries by app downloads (2025)
| Country | Total app downloads | Share of global downloads | YoY growth % |
| India | 19.1B | 17.0% | –14.1% |
| United States | 12.6B | 11.2% | –2.3% |
| Brazil | 9.0B | 8.1% | –7.1% |
| Indonesia | 6.1B | 5.5% | 0.8% |
| Mexico | 4.5B | 4.0% | –6.5% |
| China | 4.2B | 3.7% | 1.1% |
| Turkey | 3.1B | 2.8% | –0.1% |
| Philippines | 3.0B | 2.7% | 3.2% |
| Germany | 2.6B | 2.3% | 4.1% |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 2.6B | 2.3% | 9.1% |
Source: AppTweak Market Intelligence | Worldwide · Both stores · Nov 1, 2024 to Nov 30, 2025.
Top 10 countries by app downloads analysis
The distribution of app downloads is still shaped by three major forces:
- Large populations and rising smartphone penetration (India, Brazil, Indonesia)
- Affordable devices and accessible mobile data in emerging markets
- Mature digital ecosystems and strong monetization in developed markets (USA, Germany, UK)
However, the YoY numbers highlight a deeper shift. Several of the world’s largest app markets are losing volume, while smaller or mid-sized regions are still expanding. This divergence points to saturation, more selective install behavior, and greater focus on value over volume.
It’s also worth noting that some high-volume markets show slowing or negative growth, indicating user acquisition saturation or shifting consumption patterns.
Compared to 2024 data
Overall, global app downloads declined by around 4.1% YoY. At the same time, global app revenues grew by about 10.5%, increasing from roughly $133.3B to $147.2B. This pattern indicates a shift toward higher-value installs or increased in-app spend rather than raw volume.
For ASO managers and marketers, the takeaway is clear: relying solely on big markets for volume is no longer enough. Growth increasingly comes from diversifying beyond the traditional giants, targeting regions with rising adoption, and optimizing toward quality installs rather than raw scale.
Which countries had the most iOS app downloads in 2025?
The iOS landscape is heavily concentrated, with the United States leading by a wide margin at 6.8B App Store downloads (22.5% share). China follows with 4.2B installs, while Japan, Brazil, and the UK round out the top five. Unlike Google Play, where emerging markets dominate volume, iOS distribution is anchored in a smaller set of high-value, high-spend countries.
Top countries for App Store app downloads in 2025
| Country | iOS app downloads | App Store market share % | YoY growth % |
| United States | 6.8 B | 22.5% | +2% |
| China | 4.2 B | 13.8% | -4% |
| Japan | 1.4 B | 4.7% | +6% |
| Brazil | 1.4 B | 4.5% | +18% |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 1.2 B | 4.1% | +9% |
| India | 1.1 B | 3.7% | +22 |
| Russia | 1.1 B | 3.6% | +13% |
| Germany | 0.9 B | 2.9% | +9% |
| Vietnam | 0.9 B | 2.8% | +18% |
| France | 0.8 B | 2.8% | +11 |
Source: AppTweak Market Intelligence | Worldwide · iOS · Nov 1, 2024 to Nov 30, 2025.
Analysis of the top App Store countries by app downloads
The App Store ecosystem is far more value-dense than volume-dense, and the ranking reflects that. The United States, with 6.8B installs, remains the dominant iOS market globally and continues to grow (+2% YoY), reinforcing its role as the core driver of App Store revenue.
China, despite ranking second, posted a -4% YoY decline, showing the same slowdown seen in its total (iOS+Android) downloads. This signals a maturing market where growth increasingly comes from monetization rather than install volume.
Japan maintains its importance with +6% YoY growth, driven by one of the world’s highest iOS adoption rates and strong consumer spending, especially in gaming.
The most notable trends appear in Brazil, India, Vietnam, and Russia, all posting double-digit growth. These markets traditionally skew Android, but rising iPhone adoption is expanding the App Store opportunity faster than in mature regions.
Finally, Germany, France, and the UK show steady, healthy growth, consistent with their performance in the combined-store global top 10, highlighting their stability as high-LTV iOS markets.
Which countries had the most Android app downloads in 2025?
Android’s dominance in emerging markets becomes clear when examining Google Play downloads. India leads with over 28 billion installs, followed by China (though many Chinese users access apps through third-party stores), Brazil, Indonesia, and Russia. Android’s lower device costs and broader manufacturer ecosystem drive its massive reach in price-sensitive markets.
Top countries for Google Play app downloads in 2025
| Country | Android app downloads | Google Play market share % | YoY growth % |
| India | 18B | 22.1% | -16% |
| Brazil | 7.7B | 9.4% | -11% |
| United States | 5.8B | 7.1% | -5% |
| Indonesia | 5.7B | 7% | -0.3% |
| Mexico | 3.8B | 4.6% | -10% |
| Philippines | 2.6B | 3.2% | -8% |
| Turkey | 2.4B | 3% | -13% |
| Pakistan | 2.3B | 2.9% | -16% |
| Egypt | 1.8B | 2.2% | -168% |
| Germany | 1.7B | 2.1% | +2% |
Source: AppTweak Market Intelligence | Worldwide · Google Play · Nov 1, 2024 to Nov 30, 2025.
Analysis of the top Google Play countries by app downloads
India dominates Google Play app downloads, followed by Brazil & the United States. This mirrors their position in the global ranking, though all three show negative YoY growth trends at the combined-store level.
Growth markets such as the Philippines and Pakistan feature prominently in the Play Store ranking but do not break into the global top 10, signaling strong Android-led adoption rather than balanced cross-store performance.
Overall, the comparison highlights a clear pattern: Android-heavy countries dominate app download volume, while fewer but wealthier markets (like the UK) rise in the combined ranking due to stronger iOS penetration and higher monetization. This underscores a structural split in global app behavior: Google Play drives scale in emerging regions, while combined-store leaders reflect both volume and high-value ecosystems.
Which countries saw the highest app download growth rate in 2025?
Growth rates reveal a different story than absolute volume. While India and the United States dominate total app downloads, markets like South Africa and Hong Kong show a strong growth in the past year.
Here are the top 10 countries by app download growth rate (YoY, monthly app downloads relative growth %) in the last 12 months, based on global combined data (both stores).
| Country | Download growth rate (YoY) |
| South Africa | +17.85 % |
| Hong Kong | +14.73 % |
| Austria | +9.22 % |
| United Kingdom (UK) | +9.06 % |
| Canada | +8.93 % |
| Indonesia | +8.36 % |
| Japan | +5.47 % |
| Saudi Arabia | +3.33 % |
| South Korea | +1.63 % |
| Egypt | +1.12 % |
Source: AppTweak Market Intelligence | Worldwide · Both stores · Nov 1, 2024 to Nov 30, 2025.
Analysis of top 10 countries by app download growth rate
- Emerging or fast-digitizing markets like South Africa and Hong Kong lead in relative growth — indicating rising smartphone adoption, increasing app usage, or improved connectivity.
- Some developed markets (Austria, UK, Canada, Japan, South Korea) still show growth, which may reflect evolving user behavior, new app categories, or renewed interest in mobile.
- Growth often comes from smaller or mid-tier markets, making them promising opportunities for apps looking to scale globally without overpaying for user acquisition in saturated regions.
- These markets tend to have less competition and lower CPI/CPA (cost per install/acquisition), which can make ROI more attractive even if average revenue per user (ARPU) is lower.
Conclusion
The global app download landscape in 2025 shows:
- A clear dominance of a few big markets in install volume
- Mixed trends in growth: some large markets stagnate or decline, while smaller or emerging markets expand rapidly
- Growing monetization despite slower app download volume globally, suggesting shifts in user behavior, spending habits, and app monetization models
For app marketers and growth strategists, this means two things:
- Don’t ignore smaller or high-growth markets: many high-potential opportunities lie outside the traditional top-10 by volume
- Balance acquisition strategy: use big, stable markets for scale + reliable revenue; tap growing markets for cost-effective user acquisition and long-term expansion
Ready to explore download trends for your app or identify high-growth markets?
Start analyzing country-level data with AppTweak Market Intelligence.
FAQ (Frequently asked questions)
Which country has the most app downloads?
Based on the 2025 data, India leads with about 19.08 billion app downloads, the highest number globally. The United States is the second-largest app downloads market with about 12.56 billion installs in 2025.
How do app downloads differ between iOS and Android by country?
The United States dominates iOS app downloads with over 4 billion installs, while India leads Android with more than 28 billion. Android captures higher volume in emerging markets, while iOS performs better in high-income countries.
What is the fastest-growing app market?
In 2025, some of the fastest-growing countries by app download growth (YoY) are South Africa, Hong Kong, Austria, the United Kingdom, Canada, each posting strong positive growth. For example, South Africa grew by about +17.9 % and Hong Kong by around +14.7 % over the prior period. These markets stand out less by volume than by momentum, and they may represent significant growth opportunities for apps expanding internationally.
How accurate are app download estimates by country?
AppTweak’s app download estimates combine machine learning models, app store ranking data, and historical performance patterns to deliver high-accuracy country-level projections. The methodology is continuously calibrated against real app performance data.
Why do some countries have high app downloads but low revenue?
Some countries show high app downloads but low app revenue (in emerging markets for example) mainly because users are more price-sensitive, use cheaper devices, and rely on free or ad-supported apps, which lowers revenue per app download.
Which factors influence app download growth by country?
App download growth by country is driven by smartphone penetration, data affordability, and platform mix (iOS vs Android). Growth also depends on local digital habits, the strength of the app ecosystem, and how quickly a market is expanding compared to saturated regions. Countries with rising connectivity and younger mobile-first populations typically see the fastest acceleration in installs.
How can I find app download data for my specific category and country?
Using AppTweak’s Market Intelligence tool, you can filter estimates by category, country, platform (iOS vs Android), and time period. This allows you to benchmark your app against competitors, analyze market-specific app download and revenue trends, and identify high-potential markets for expansion or acquisition. The data supports insights on where to prioritize growth, localization, or monetization efforts.
Alexandra De Clerck
