Mobile App Usage in Pakistan: Fastest Growth and Top Trends - Tech
Pakistan became the fastest country to download social media or applications worldwide, according to a report by DataDurbar, a private market intelligence platform. In 2022, Pakistani users saw a 35.4 percent increase in the rate of downloads of social media applications, compared to 2021. The download rate of applications in Pakistan was 28.6 percent in 2021, which increased to 35.6 percent last year. This growth rate is 3 percentage points higher than that of China, which ranks second in this list. China is followed by India, Mexico, and Indonesia with rates below 10%. In 2021, Pakistan's ranking was 3 ranks lower.
The report also states that with 3.5 billion downloads, Pakistan leads all emerging markets except Indonesia. This indicates a growing trend of mobile application usage in the country, which has been propelled by the increasing penetration of affordable smartphones and the proliferation of internet services across the country.
In terms of the most downloaded applications, the report reveals that WhatsApp Business is the most popular application among Pakistani users, followed by Snapchat, WhatsApp Messenger, WeChat, and TikTok. It is interesting to note that the report does not include Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube among the top five most downloaded applications in Pakistan, which indicates a possible shift in consumer preferences towards newer social media platforms.
Furthermore, the report highlights that Pakistani users spent 161 billion hours on mobile applications in 2022, making Pakistan the sixth country in the list of countries with the highest usage worldwide. The growth in mobile application usage is particularly significant given the pandemic-induced lockdowns, which forced people to spend more time at home and increased their reliance on digital platforms for communication, entertainment, and other services.
Regarding the best application by a local publisher, Pakistan ranked second only to Indonesia. However, very few locally developed applications were at the top in terms of traction and usage, indicating a need for greater innovation and investment in the local technology ecosystem. Easy Paisa, one of the most locally developed applications, has gained popularity in recent years, particularly among unbanked and underserved segments of the population. The app enables users to make financial transactions, pay bills, and buy products and services through their mobile phones, thereby promoting financial inclusion and digital empowerment.
The rise of mobile application usage in Pakistan has also presented new opportunities and challenges for businesses and policymakers alike. On the one hand, mobile applications have provided a platform for entrepreneurs and startups to reach new customers and scale their businesses. On the other hand, the growing reliance on digital platforms has highlighted the need for stronger cybersecurity measures and regulatory frameworks to protect consumers' privacy and prevent online crimes and fraud.
Moreover, the rise of mobile application usage has also brought attention to issues of digital divide and unequal access to technology, particularly in rural areas and among low-income households. To address these challenges, the government and private sector need to work together to promote digital literacy, invest in broadband infrastructure, and create an enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.
In conclusion, Pakistan's rapid growth in mobile application usage is a positive development that reflects the country's increasing integration into the global digital economy. The growth in mobile application usage has created new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs, while also raising important policy challenges around privacy, cybersecurity, and digital inclusion. By addressing these challenges and leveraging the potential of mobile applications for social and economic development, Pakistan can chart a path towards a more prosperous and equitable future.
