mHealth Apps Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By App Type (Disease & Treatment Management, Wellness Management, Others), By Application (Monitoring Services, Fitness Solutions, Diagnostic Services, Treatment Services, Others), By Market Place (Google Play Store, Apple App Store, Others), and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028

The global mHealth apps market size was USD 24.93 billion in 2020 and is expected grow from USD 38.89 billion in 2021 to USD 314.60 billion in 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 34.8% in the 2021-2028 period. As per our analysis, the global market exhibited a growth of 65.7% in 2020, reflecting a considerable positive growth trajectory during the forecast period. The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering, with mHealth apps witnessing a significant positive demand shock across all regions amid the pandemic. The sudden drop in CAGR is attributable to the market’s demand and growth, returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

mHealth involves sharing and monitoring health information via mobile technology such as health tracking apps and wearable. Mobile wireless technology to deliver care and monitor symptoms allows medical healthcare professionals to make diagnoses easier and efficient and with minimal errors. mHealth is gaining steam among customers as Google and Apple continue to provide various applications on their app stores.

The market is estimated to experience significant growth during the forecast period, owing to rising consumer demand to monitor their health, allowing pharmaceutical and mobile health applications companies to develop mHealth applications. A few of the top apps are Fitbit, Apple Heart Study, BlueStar, and others. Healthcare providers can reduce appointment costs by utilizing mHealth applications that lower the risk of patient rehabilitation. Patients could utilize these types of apps for medication reminders and recovery instructions instead of staying in a medical facility post-surgical discharge.

The increasing usage of such apps is another significant factor contributing to the market growth. Such apps provide opportunities to record health-related data, monitor health, online consultations, manage chronic conditions, and few others. Increasing concerns among the population about their health is another important factor boosting the adoption of such technology.

High Download Rates & Product Launches amid COVID-19 to Boost Revenue Growth

COVID-19 outbreak has a significant impact on the mobile health apps market in 2020. The market saw a noteworthy growth of 65.7% in 2020, which is very high compared to the pre-pandemic years. For instance, in 2020, as per an article published by the Sensor Tower Inc., downloads of Health & Fitness apps witnessed a considerable surge of 46% across Europe, to 829.5 million downloads in 2020. This is majorly due to the government-backed COVID-19 contact tracing apps included under Fitness and health apps, including Germany’s Corona-Warn-App and Turkey’s Hayat Eve Sığar.

Furthermore, several companies are focusing on developing and commercialization of COVID-19 related mHealth apps across the globe. For instance, in May 2021, GoMeyra, a pioneering software company, launched a free mHealth app for sharing COVID-19 PCR, Rapid Antigen test results, and vaccination verification details. Also, in March 2020, MobileSmith Health, a digital health company, launched two COVID response mobile apps to support healthcare facilities in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The platforms can be deployed in 72 hours and offer alerts and notifications to convey customized facility information and vital updates. Furthermore, in November 2020, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology developed an app for diagnosing COVID-19 by analyzing a patient’s cough through ML algorithms. Such diagnostic apps can help reduce contact with patients and can be applied for the early diagnosis of chronic diseases.

The rising trend amongst the population to frequently monitor their vital signs due to the increased mortality rate in COVID-19 patients with chronic disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases has further surged the usage rate of the apps.  Also, statistics from various government organizations reflect that the usage and downloads of these apps have considerably increased in 2020.

LATEST TRENDS

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Rapid Developments in Telecommunication Sector and Mobile Phone Technology to Surge Demand

Prompt advancements in the telecommunication sector, such as the introduction of 4G LTE, provided various opportunities for the mHealth industry to flourish. Owing to the introduction of such facilities, developing regions that lack proper communication capabilities will have the opportunity to experience an enhanced network facility, thereby witnessing the benefits of these apps. For instance, in March 2020, Google Cloud unveiled a collaboration agreement with AT&T to develop 5G edge computing solutions. The introduction of such faster network capabilities will enable the mHealth industry to provide a better experience for their patients, thereby boosting product demand. Hence, such advancements will strongly support the market growth across the forecast period.

mHealth continues to evolve with advancements in mobile phone technology and telecommunications. Advancements in telecommunication technology have resulted in the development of easily accessible apps extensively being used by the patient population. In January 2020, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention announced a collaboration with the leading telecom operator, Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC (du), to develop a mobile telemedicine app. Such collaborations with telecom service providers are expected to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure and favor mHealth apps adoption.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases to Propel Growth

One of the most crucial drivers for the mHealth apps market growth is the rising prevalence of chronic disorders across the globe. Chronic diseases such as respiratory ailments, cardiac conditions, diabetes, and hypertension have led to the maximum adoption of such apps. For instance, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coronary heart disease is the most common heart disorder in the U.S. that killed 365,914 people in 2017. Hence such ailment requires continuous monitoring or regular checkups with medical professionals. These apps play a major role in such conditions by offering remote monitoring and frequent medication reminders to the patient to manage their health routine by eliminating the need to physically visit a specialist. Such benefits associated with these apps will strongly support market growth across the forecast years.

Use of Modern Technology to Drive Market Worldwide

The emergence of novel technology and the increasing demand for more effective mHealth solutions are significant factors driving the market growth. Moreover, European countries are trying to develop several other innovative technologies to enhance mobile health apps features. For instance, in June 2019, the National Health Service (NHS) announced the launch of a digital health portal to allow its experts to validate and review health apps as they're being developed for the agency's app Library. Moreover, rising demand for these apps among the population, owing to increasing benefits associated with innovative apps, will further augment market growth rate.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Technological Barriers Especially In Developing Countries and Lack of Reliable Digital Infrastructure

Despite the huge potential of mobile health apps, technological and infrastructure barriers are one of the major factors inhibiting the expansion of the market in developing countries. Adopting these apps requires deploying the latest telecommunication devices, high-speed internet with high bandwidth and storage capacity for the integration and transmission of medical data, which is still lacking in many developing countries. According to News India Express, penetration of the internet in urban India was 64.8% in 2017 compared to 60.6% in 2016. However, in rural India, internet penetration was at 20.2% in December 2017, from 18% in 2016.  

SEGMENTATION

By App Type Analysis

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Disease & Treatment Management Segment Likely to Grow Rapidly Owing to Rising Awareness About Several Health Monitoring Apps

On the basis of app type, the market can be segmented into disease & treatment management, wellness management, and others.

The disease & treatment management segment is estimated to showcase lucrative growth during the forecast period. High growth is attributable to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases across the globe. Moreover, technological advancements in health apps to eliminate communication barriers between patients and doctors are another important factor contributing to the market growth. Also, rising concerns among the people about their health will further escalate mobile health service demand across 2018-2026.

The wellness management segment held the maximum share across the forecast period due to the increasing trend among the population to remain fit and healthy. Moreover, the growing incidence of obesity in various countries of the world is another important factor fostering market expansion. The rising habit of a sedentary lifestyle and shortage of physical activities have led to the growing incidence of obesity in both men and women across the globe. Hence the factors mentioned earlier will significantly contribute to the market growth.

By Application Analysis

Monitoring Services Segment Dominated the mHealth Market Owing to Increasing Rate of Geriatric Population

On the basis of application, the global mHealth apps market can be segmented into monitoring services, fitness solutions, diagnostic services, treatment services, and others.

The monitoring services segment is anticipated to hold the maximum share during the forecast period. This is primarily caused due to the increasing rate of the geriatric population suffering from chronic ailments that require continuous monitoring. For instance, as per the National Council of Aging (NCOA), approximately 80% of the elderly population have at least one chronic disease, and 77% have at least two. Hence, the increasing rate of the geriatric population will strongly support the adoption of these apps for frequent health monitoring, thus augmenting the market growth. 

The fitness solutions segment is estimated to witness lucrative growth across the forecast period due to increasing demand among millennials for fitness and apps. The rising trend of maintaining a healthy body has influenced people to follow diets and maintain regular exercise routines. These health apps assist people in following such habits with punctual reminders and appropriate diet plans. Hence, the factors mentioned above have considerably supported segmental growth.

By Market Place Analysis

Google Play Store has Tremendous Growth Trajectory in Terms of Health Applications

Based on the market place segment, the market can be segmented into Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and others.

The Google Play Store is anticipated to hold a dominant share across the forecast period, owing to the increasing number of health apps companies investing in the platform. Moreover, increasing smartphone penetration rates across the developed and developing economies will further propel segmental growth. Moreover, the rising technological advancements about android apps are another important factor supporting considerable global market size during the forecast period. 

Apple app store as an operating system platform for mobile health apps is anticipated to hold the second-largest mHealth Apps market share due to increasing Apple smartphones, specifically in the U.K. Hence, the growing penetration rate of smartphones and other smart medical devices incorporated with health apps will considerably support substantial revenue growth. Hence, the reason as mentioned above is one of the chief growth fostering factors. Furthermore, high standards of privacy and curated content are anticipated to fuel the growth of the segment.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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North America generated a revenue of USD 7.44 Billion in 2020 and is expected to remain dominant in the global market during the forecast period. The United States is one of the top countries with the highest percentage of major health apps companies operating in the industry. Moreover, the increasing internet penetration rate across various states in the U.S. will significantly impact the market growth. Also, sedentary lifestyles due to busy job schedules have led to a rise in the prevalence of several chronic conditions in the U.S. Hence, the factors mentioned above have significantly boosted demand for mHealth applications, fostering regional growth across the forecast period.

Europe held significant market revenue in 2020. The growth of this region is attributable to factors such as increased efforts of the government in research funding to enhance the accessibility of digital technologies. For instance, in 2013, European Commission announced USD 56 million for research to deliver 5G mobile technology by 2020. In 2020, worldwide mobile traffic alone had reached a 33 times increase compared to 2010 figures. With such initiatives, wireless devices such as smartphones, tablets, machines, and sensors dominated the telecommunication industry, thereby augmenting market growth.

Asia Pacific is expected to witness the highest growth in the regional market value, owing to the increasing disposable incomes across the region, leading to higher healthcare expenditure. Furthermore, as smartphones have opened new opportunities for mHealth, many apps such as Medeel, Yton, DocDoc, ConnectedHealth, ScolioTrack, etc., from start-up companies are sprouting up in Asia Pacific, in turn augmenting the market growth.

Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are witnessing an increase in chronic diseases, which may require additional patient monitoring. This is likely to create an opportunity for mHealth app providers during the forecast period.

KEY INDUSTRY KEY PLAYERS

Market Players to Focus on Novel Product Launch to Hold a Strong Foothold in the Market

The global market for mHealth apps is highly fragmented, with various national and international players. Owing to the potential market opportunity, many new start-up companies are entering the market in this digital transformation era. The tier 1 players consist of companies such as FitBit. Inc. Google, Apple, Omron Healthcare Inc., Under Armour Inc., Fitness Keeper, Auzmio, Virtuagym, and others account for the leading position. Top Google rating for these apps and a huge number of subscribers across the globe are the major factors for the dominating position of these companies. In December 2020, Apple Inc. announced the launch of Apple Fitness+. The app will initially be available in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, New Zealand, the U.S., and the U.S. This will strengthen the market position of the company.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Fitbit, Inc. (San Francisco, United States)


• Apple Inc. (California, United States)


• Omada Health, Inc. (California, United States)


• Livongo Health (California, United States)


• Boston Scientific Corporation (Marlborough, United States)


• Omron Healthcare, Inc. (Kyoto, Japan)


• Abbott (Illinois, United States)


• Jawbone Health Hub, Inc. (California, United States)


• Other prominent players

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• December 2020- Apple Inc introduced the Apple Fitness+ application for its Apple watch. The fitness app motivates and tracks the user's workout metrics, thereby providing guidance.


• October 2020- Apple Inc launched the health records feature available on iPhone and Apple watches for the users in the U.K and Canada.


• September 2020- Fitbit received U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CE approval for its ECG app to assess heart rhythm for atrial fibrillation.


• March 2020- Fitbit announced Fitbit Charge 4 with the most advanced health and fitness apps intending to offer greater value to consumer health.

REPORT COVERAGE

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The global mHealth apps market research report provides a detailed analysis as it focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, app type, applications, and market place. Additionally, it offers insights into the market trends, impact of covid-19, statistics on smartphone penetration rate for key countries, internet users, and penetration statistics, among other key insights. Moreover, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market over recent years. 

Report Scope & Segmentation