The State of Developer Ecosystem 2026: A Decade of Insights
A comprehensive study of 28,945 developers reveals AI integration and shifting language trends.
1A Decade of Industry Analysis
The 2026 State of Developer Ecosystem report marks the tenth anniversary of this comprehensive study. This year, the research analyzed responses from 28,945 developers across 198 countries. The survey has evolved from simple tool tracking into a deep examination of professional habits, industry shifts, and the long-term career trajectory of global software engineers.
2AI Agents as Standard Practice
AI integration is no longer a differentiator but a standard operational practice. Over half of employed developers now utilize AI agents for more than 60% of their daily tasks. Despite high adoption rates, experimentation remains robust, with only 23% of participants reporting no plans to test new AI tools in the coming year.
3Experience Shapes AI Interaction
Developer interaction with AI agents varies significantly based on professional tenure. Senior developers prioritize providing specific guidelines and verification methods rather than relying solely on simple prompts. Interestingly, 60% of junior developers with 1–2 years of experience believe AI solutions outperform their own, compared to only 47% of those with 16-plus years.
4Measuring the AI Return
Organizations are struggling to define the return on investment for AI tools. While 51% of tech managers track token usage, only 30% consider it a primary metric. Satisfaction levels are higher in small organizations compared to large ones, and 40% of managers report satisfaction with AI spending despite not measuring ROI at all.
5Career Resilience Amidst Challenges
The current job market remains difficult, with only 18% of developers reporting favorable conditions in their regions. Japan stands out as a notable exception, where 43% report positive conditions. Despite these challenges, three out of four developers would choose the same career path again, especially those in architecture and infrastructure roles.
6Shifting Language Dominance
Long-term trends show Python has officially overtaken JavaScript as the most widely used language, reaching 65% adoption. TypeScript has tripled its usage since 2017, currently topping the Language Promise Index. Meanwhile, Rust and Go remain the most desired languages for future adoption, also ranking among the highest-paid skills in the current market.
7Database and Hobbyist Trends
In the database landscape, PostgreSQL has gained significant ground, reaching 59% usage and pulling ahead of MySQL, which remains steady at 54%. Beyond professional requirements, 47% of developers continue to write code as a hobby. The community also remains divided on personal preferences, with 39% favoring dogs and 36% preferring cats as pets.
8Methodological Rigor and Evolution
The 2026 methodology utilized 91 criteria to filter fraudulent responses, nearly doubling the previous year's efforts. To ensure representative data, the survey was advertised with unbranded creatives, reducing bias toward specific tool vendors. Results were weighted by region, employment status, and language use to provide an accurate reflection of the global developer community.
Original article: The JetBrains Blog — The State of Developer Ecosystem 2026: A Decade of Insights