Engineering and technology are booming industries. Professionals like mechanical, industrial, electrical, and hardware engineers are always in high demand, even in weaker and emerging economies. But perhaps no role is more popular today than software development.
The number of software developers worldwide has skyrocketed in recent decades and years. Computers have gained capabilities many of us could have never imagined, and that’s largely thanks to the skilled humans behind the technology. They are crafting a digital world and advancing society at an increasingly rapid pace. From the apps we use to the programs we rely on, software development is the key to keeping society moving forward and progressing.
So, just how many developers are there in the world? Here, we will explore the number of professionals in this ever-important sector, along with additional key software developer statistics. We will also look at what’s in store for software engineers and developers in the coming years.
Understanding the Role of a Software Developer
The role of software developers is to build technology products—that’s the most basic definition of the profession. But it’s a bit more complex than that.
A software engineer or developer is responsible for building computer solutions, including systems, programs, and applications. They work with the software throughout the development lifecycle, performing tasks like designing and building the program, debugging, testing, and, most importantly, meeting stakeholder and user requirements.
There are many different types of software developers and specialists. They may specialize in certain languages or development tools, such as Java developers, PHP developers, Python developers, and .NET developers.
Some focus on building certain products, like mobile app developers. Others still specialize in certain technologies like AI/machine learning.
In any case, developers are critical to creating the platforms we rely on.
How Many Developers In The World?
Before we look more closely at the subject of how many software engineers and developers there are in the world, we should first consider what it takes to be part of the illustrious—and competitive—software development industry.
When you look at software developer job postings, the first and foremost requirement you will find is strong tech expertise.
This encompasses skills like:
- Programming languages
- Frameworks
- Databases
- Cloud computing
- Algorithms
- Source control
- IDEs
- Operating systems
- Debugging
- Scripting
But it’s about far more than the technical skills. To stand out in a global developer population, a software developer should also demonstrate key soft skills, such as:
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Creativity
- Adaptability
- Empathy
Today, there are many developers in the world from different paths and backgrounds. Still, more than 41% of software developers have bachelor’s degrees, while more than 21% have attained master’s degrees.
The Global Landscape of Software Engineers: Key Statistics
According to data from Evans Data Corporation, there are nearly 27 million developers worldwide.
That number is steadily growing—approximately 3% in the past year—and it is expected to exceed 28.7 million by 2024.
Top Countries with the Most Software Developers
The US has long reigned as the top source of software development talent. That’s probably no surprise, given the number of tech hubs and opportunities in the country, even beyond Silicon Valley, where many of the most impactful companies in the industry began.
Moreover, the US has prioritized STEM industries and education for a long time, with more than 437,300 STEM bachelor’s degrees awarded in the 2020-21 academic year.
But India is not far behind. The country is expected to displace the US in terms of the number of software developers by 2024.
This is due to a number of factors. For example, the culture places a strong emphasis on STEM subjects, both in education and in careers. It was also the main center for software and IT outsourcing in the 1990s and early 2000s, although today, there are many additional tech talent hubs around the world. Still, it remains a top source of outsourced software development talent.
The fact that India is a relatively poor country also affects the software development scene. Tech is a lucrative industry, and there are many opportunities—economically speaking and otherwise—in India and beyond, making the field attractive for those who want to pursue a higher-paying career.
How Many Software Developers in the US?
There are more than 1,534,000 developers in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The profession is expected to grow 25% between 2019 and 2029, which is much faster than average.
Factors Impacting the Growth of Software Developers in the US
The huge number of software developers in the US is the result of a number of factors, including the focus on tech education, the abundant resources the country offers, and the career opportunities for those in or entering the sector, even at the junior level.
That’s not to say there aren’t challenges associated with software developer jobs in the US. In 2022, the country saw many tech companies, particularly the giants, laying off large numbers of professionals.
Moreover, while there is a greater emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, there are still far fewer female software developers than male developers in the US.
How Many Software Are There Developers in Europe?
There are approximately 6 million developers in Europe. Germany leads the pack, with the highest concentration of talent, and the UK and France follow close behind.
Factors Impacting the Growth of Software Developers in Europe
There are many reasons why the number of software developers is growing across Europe. Several countries in the region have distinguished themselves as top spots for tech talent. Germany, for example, has one of the largest information and communication technology (ICT) markets in the world and is the headquarters for many tech corporations, such as SAP.
Meanwhile, Eastern Europe has emerged as a premier hub for software outsourcing, with countries like Ukraine among the most popular tech outsourcing destinations.
Like the US, Europe’s tech industry faces a lack of diversity. A McKinsey report argues that narrowing the gender gap could help the continent build a competitive advantage—women represent only 22% of tech roles at European companies.
How Many Software Developers in the Latam?
In Latin America, there are more than 1 million developers. The number is climbing rapidly as countries in the region aim to boost tech skills, careers, and education.
Factors Impacting the Growth of Software Developers in Latin America
To fill the abundance of open tech positions, as well as help combat poverty in the country, the Argentinian government launched Argentina Programa 4.0 in late 2022 to provide free training in coding and digital skills. The program also aims to place individuals in tech companies.
This is just one example of the many countries that are seeking to promote tech careers and skills in Latin America. Additionally, the region is seeing enormous investment in startups. In 2021, Latam received approximately $19.5 billion in venture capital and technology growth investments, according to Crunchbase.
Latam is also a top outsourcing destination, thanks to its high level of skills and strong English proficiency. One of the main challenges in the region—one that is also an opportunity—is that supply is simply not keeping up with the demand for talent. That means that budding talent could very well have options when it comes to roles in an industry that offers a lot of career growth potential.
How Many Software Developers in Asia?
Asia is home to more than 6.5 million software developers. According to Statista, the region is seeing growth in tech talent, particularly in China, where the growth rate is 6-8%.
Factors Impacting the Growth of Software Developers in Asia
Asia’s outsourcing market accounts for a considerable portion of its tech services. Many businesses in Western countries outsource to Asia due to lower costs and high levels of talent. India is one of the prime examples, and its IT industry is growing at a rate faster than 7.5%.
Still, there are some obstacles associated with the tech scene in Asia. For example, language barriers may exist with providers that partner with Western countries. Time zone differences can also be an issue since working hours are less likely to overlap. At the same time, organizations enjoy lower development costs compared to those in Western countries.
How Many Software Developers in Africa?
There are 716,000 developers in Africa, according to the 2021 Africa Developer Report by Google. South Africa is responsible for a considerable portion of this population, accounting for 121,000 developers.
Factors Impacting the Growth of Software Developers in Africa
There is high demand for developers in Africa, according to the Google report, particularly when it comes to mobile app developers—approximately 50% of all African developers can build Android apps.
Salaries are growing for skilled tech talent, too. In 2021, compensation for software developers had increased by 11%. This is largely thanks to the huge and rising demand for these skills. Internet use is growing across the continent—by 22% for small and medium-sized businesses.
This means that more and more organizations are in need of strong tech talent, particularly after COVID meant that so many services had to move online.
Africa is also experiencing some challenges when it comes to tech, including a gender gap. Moreover, many African developers are being employed by companies outside of the continent thanks to the rise in remote work, which presents obstacles for local businesses in need of tech professionals.
The Future of Software Development
Software development has been a highly influential and in-demand profession for as long as it’s been around. A lucrative, specialized field, it is constantly growing and evolving, with technology advancing every day.
There are many factors that are impacting the future of software development as a profession. AI’s expanding capabilities are certainly playing a role in this, although it is unlikely that the technology will displace human software developers altogether. Still, it will certainly change the tasks and roles of software developers.
The Impact of Emerging Technologies on the Number of Software Developers
AI is probably the first thing many of us think of when it comes to technologies affecting the number of software developers in the world. In fact, AI is most likely to aid developers in their tasks by automating certain processes, such as debugging and testing, allowing them to focus on higher-level tasks that require human input.
AI will also require human software developers to feed data to and train the models, improving their quality and precision.
Many people wonder whether AI will put software engineers and other professionals out of work, and while it’s impossible to entirely predict the future, it’s more likely that the world will still need skilled, specialized human professionals to facilitate advancements in technology in other spaces.
Specializations in different software niches and fields will become more important. For example, across the world, we are seeing advancements in technologies like blockchain, cloud computing, data science, and machine learning. Those who choose and stick to certain specialities will have an advantage in the market.
The 2023 Gartner Emerging Technologies and Trends Impact Radar forecasts additional technology trends, ranking neuromorphic computing, self-supervised learning, and the metaverse as the chief trends to pay attention to in the coming months and years.
Software developers of all types around the world will need to stay abreast of the goings-on in the field, particularly as new technologies emerge every day and advancements take place at a rapid pace.
Overall, the number of software developers continues to grow and is on track to climb in the future. These professionals are vital to keeping our ever-changing world spinning.
NB: These figures and statistics come from Evan Data Corporation unless otherwise specified.
