An economic impact study on behalf of Apple estimates the California tech giant has contributed 629,000 jobs in Europe, from app developers and suppliers to business processes and retail.
Apple pointed out that 50pc of all direct and indirect app economy jobs in the EU28 can be directly attributed to iOS.
The app revolution has added nearly 500,000 iOS jobs to the economy in Europe since the introduction of the App Store in 2008.
Apple said it has paid US$6.5bn to developers across Europe, nearly 30pc of the US$20bn Apple has paid to developers around the world to date.
Research by Vision Mobile estimates that app production in the EU28 will reach US$16.5bn, compared to US$13bn in 2012 – up 12pc.
This is in addition to the tools and distribution powers Apple has provided to app developers.
Across Europe, Apple now directly employs 16,000 people full time in 19 countries, having added 5,000 new jobs since 2011.
Apple in Cork
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Apple CEO Tim Cook with colleagues in Cork last year
In Cork, where Apple has maintained its European headquarters since 1981, some 4,000 people are employed in a range of roles, including supply chain and risk management operations, manufacturing and customer support.
“We are the largest private employer in Cork and our investment supports an additional 2,500 jobs in the local area,” the company stated.
Apple said its 101 Apple retail stores draw hundreds of thousands of monthly customers to malls and high streets in eight European countries, which in turn benefits local businesses.
Europe is home to 4,500 Apple suppliers, including several of its top 200 global suppliers.
“As an example of the key role some European suppliers play, many of the micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) in Apple products are designed and manufactured in Europe,” Apple added.
“This has resulted in thousands of jobs in Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria, Germany and Malta,” Apple said.
Apple store in Paris image via Shutterstock
