A new study by IDC, which examined the IT industry"s impact on local job creation, company formation and tax revenues in 82 countries representing 99.5% of the total technology spending worldwide, predicts that in 2007 Microsoft-related activities will be responsible for 14.7 million jobs from an IT industry total of 35.2 million people (42% of total IT employment globally in 2007). This number includes people working at IT companies and IT professionals who create, sell or distribute products that run on Microsoft platforms. "The IDC research ... also shows the significant contribution made by the Microsoft® ecosystem, especially in the creation of local businesses and local jobs," said John Gantz, chief research officer at IDC. Unsurprisingly, the independent research was sponsored by none other than Microsoft.
The study concluded Microsoft serves as an economic catalyst in every country in which it operates. The research found that for every $1 that Microsoft earns in 2007, companies working with Microsoft will earn $7.79. "IDC"s research quantifies the enormous power of software to create local jobs and grow economies around the world, in both developed and developing markets. Millions of people are employed globally in Microsoft-related activities, generating more than a half-trillion dollars in taxes in 2007 for governments worldwide," said Craig Mundie, chief research and strategy officer at Microsoft. The study also showed that spending on IT will reach $1.2 trillion worldwide in 2007, and is expected to grow 6.1% a year for the next four years.