The GSMA has disclosed that the mobile ecosystem contributed $3.6 trillion, representing 4.5 per cent of the global economy in 2017
This contribution, according to the umbrella body that represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, is forecast to reach $4.6 trillion, or 5 per cent of GDP, by 2022 as countries around the globe increasingly benefit from the improvements in productivity and efficiency brought about by increased take-up of mobile services.
GSMA also noted that in 2017, the wider mobile ecosystem also supported 29 million jobs (directly and indirectly) and made a substantial contribution to the funding of the public sector, with almost $500 billion raised through general taxation, plus a further $25 billion via mobile spectrum auctions.
In addition to contributing to economic growth, mobile technology is increasingly being used to address the challenges of access, cost and quality of service in key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, utilities, education and financial services.
Following the mobile industry’s commitment to helping deliver the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) two years ago, the report notes that the industry is making an important contribution across all 17 SDGs as a result of three key trends: better networks, greater connectivity and increased use of mobile-enabled services.
“Two years into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the mobile industry is increasing its impact across all 17 SDGs as a result of the wider mobile reach and better networks,” said Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA, adding that there is also growing adoption of mobile-based tools and solutions that aim to spur the digitization of systems, processes and interactions across a number of industries, especially in low- and middle- income countries.