Apple estimates it has helped create 629,000 jobs in Europe directly and indirectly through the "app economy."
The technology giant, which in the past has declined to confirm how many it employs in Ireland, also revealed in a report released yesterday that it has 4,000 employees in Cork, a quarter of its 16,000 employees in Europe. It estimates it supports a further 2,500 jobs in Cork indirectly by providing services such as facilities, catering and security.
“Apple is Cork’s largest private employer, the senior management is Irish, and most have been with Apple for over two decades,” it said in a statement. “Apple is proud to have been doing business in Cork, Ireland since 1980.”
The firm estimates 497,000 jobs in Europe are directly attributable to its App Store; 132,000 jobs are directly or indirectly supported by Apple; and 116,000 jobs have been created by other companies as a result of its growth.
Apple said it had distributed $6.5 billion (€4.9 billion) to software and app developers in Europe since the introduction of the App Store in 2008. It has 3,800 members of its paid developer programme in Ireland, compared with 61,100 in the Britain, 52,200 in Germany and 30,000 in France.
It estimates that about half of all direct and indirect app economy jobs in the 28 EU states can be directly attributed to iOS (the mobile operating system for Apple products such as the iPhone and iPad). Android, Windows and Blackberry make up the other half.
The report by Vision Mobile, a consultancy firm commissioned by Apple, estimates the total "EU app economy" in 2014 had $16.5 billion in revenues, versus $13 billion in 2012.
Vision Mobile warned, however, that App production in Europe was growing at a slower rate than emerging markets. It estimates India and China between them will add 400 million smartphone users this year, leading in a surge in demand for apps.
Europe’s share of global app revenues, it said, fell from 24 per cent in 2012 to 19 per cent. The report said EU developers should aim to expand their reach in Asiaand India.
