How Many People Work as Software Developers Around the Globe?

As technology rapidly advances, it’s becoming challenging for businesses to recruit skilled engineers to meet the rising demand. Nonetheless, the trend of increasing numbers of developers is optimistic. According to Evans Data Corporation, there will be an estimated 26.9 million software developers globally by 2023, with 4.3 million located in North America, and this figure is projected to reach 28.7 million by 2024.

Currently, the United States has the highest number of developers clustered in regions such as Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Colorado, Delaware, New Hampshire, Washington, and California. However, there is a projected higher growth rate in the Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions, with an anticipation that India will overtake the US as the leading hub for developers by 2024.

In European countries like Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Netherlands, there are notable clusters of software engineers. These statistics give insight into the enormity of the problem, the scale of the responses, and where aid is being extended to support software developers around the globe.

In this article, we delve into numerous factors such as estimated expansion, most prevalent technology categories, and other engaging statistics.

Creative Positions and Tools for Development

It is crucial to note that most of the figures cited include more than just programmers.

• Engineers specialized in electrical systems

  who are engaged in designing, developing, testing, and producing electrical equipment in the industry

• Scientists working on computer parts

  , computer hardware engineers, developers, testers, and manufacturers

• Software engineers involved in CAD systems

  , who utilize digital tools to craft mechanical components

• Statisticians

  who specialize in utilizing statistical tools to tackle business problems

• Economists

  , who are scholars and researchers of market forces, production, and consumption

• Mathematicians

  who apply statistical and mathematical techniques to support businesses in making informed decisions

• Authors of Technical Documentation

  , who are designers that produce diagrams and written instructions for DIY projects

Programmers possess varying degrees of proficiency across different programming languages, and there may be some overlap in some cases. The statistics below are based on the most up-to-date data available:

• JavaScript

  – 1.38 billion

• Python:

  – 10.10 million

• Java:

  – 9.4 billion

• C/C++:

  – 7.3 million

• C#:

  – More than 6.5 million

• PHP:

  – 6.3 billion

• Visual Programming Software:

  – Around 3.3 million

• Kotlin:

  – There are approximately 2.6 million

• Swift:

  – The figure is 2.5 million

• Others:

  – Estimated to be 7.8 million

Rising in Popularity

The demand for skilled software developers is on the rise, leading to a steady increase in the number of professionals with the necessary skills. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is expected to grow by 22% between 2023 and 2029, which is a significantly higher rate of growth than most other professions.

Staying current with recent business news, one would know that the demand for programmers has significantly increased. However, it is crucial to note that these shifts are only a part of the rapidly transforming world of technology that we inhabit.

• Flexible Work Arrangements.

  COVID-19 has forced many businesses to shift to a work from home setup. This has given rise to the demand for developers who can create the necessary digital infrastructure to enable these organizations to continue their crucial operations without requiring employees to be physically present in the office.

• Data Analysis.

  Companies that prioritize customer experience use data to identify areas for improvement in customer service. To ensure that the insights presented to management are precise and actionable, developers are responsible for organizing and analyzing the data.

• Gaming.

  The gaming industry, encompassing virtual and augmented reality applications, is expanding at a fast pace. This illustrates the high demand for skilled developers who possess experience in the gaming sector.

• Mobile.

  Organizations that fail to consider their customers’ reliance on mobile devices are likely to lose out on potential reach. Competitors that lead the industry are leveraging the expertise of developers to build mobile-friendly applications.

• Smart Homes and Cities.

  The Internet of Things (IoT) comprises networked objects equipped with sensors that can be remotely monitored and managed. This technology has the potential to create multiple opportunities. To enable regular objects to be transformed into data-driven, networked devices, developers are required in both the smart home and smart city sectors.

• And Beyond.

  Software development is gaining importance across a range of industries including retail, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, transportation, and energy utilities. Skilled programmers who can tailor software solutions to fulfil these industries’ specific requirements are in high demand, resulting in efficient business operations and enhanced customer experiences.

Fascinating Facts and Figures About Developers

Here are some other intriguing facts about programmers:

• According to different sources, the majority of programmers are in their mid- to late-30s.
• Contrary to common perception, the overwhelming majority of programmers are male, and they tend to begin coding at a younger age than females.
• Less than 50% of the software engineering workforce is made up of white individuals; the remainder consists of people from diverse ethnicities.
• For those who assume that all programmers are solitary and introverted, it may be surprising to learn that the vast majority of them are actually married.
• The majority of software engineers hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
• Software experts with years of experience can anticipate earning annual salaries exceeding $100,000, whereas freelance programmers can charge up to $300 per hour.
• Many programmers work with state-of-the-art technologies such as Big Data, Advanced Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Edge Computing, Cloud Environments, E-Commerce, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Meeting the Needs of Developers

When seeking development services, businesses should take into account the international pool of programmers. They might discover that vendors situated outside of their region can fulfill their development requirements in cases where local suppliers are inaccessible or prohibitively expensive.

For American enterprises, locating skilled and budget-friendly software engineers within the US can prove to be difficult. Latin America, which is located nearby, has a multitude of capable programmers who are proficient in English and available to offer services during American business hours.

Works, headquartered in Latin America, offers nearshore development solutions for both short-term and long-term projects. Our strength lies in creating teams customized to meet the unique requirements of each customer. We recommend that organizations in need of these services consider this strategy.