50+ Software Development Statistics Market Trends and Insights

Global Software Development Market Overview

We are seeing an exponential rise in software development worldwide. From e-commerce to healthcare and manufacturing, companies have developed custom software for their needs. Here are some of the statistics to give you an overview of the demand for software development,  

1. The global software market is expected to reach $1605.89 billion by the end of 2024, growing steadily with the increased adoption of digital transformation across industries. (8)

2. Global spending on software development is projected to grow by 11.3% in 2024 as organizations continue to invest heavily in custom software solutions to meet unique business needs. (1)

3. Enterprise software spending is forecasted to surpass $850 billion in 2024, driven by investments in CRM, ERP, and cloud applications. (2)

4. The global AI-driven software market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 40% between 2023 and 2028, reaching a market size of $126 billion by 2028. (2)

5. The global cloud software market is expected to exceed $700 billion by 2025, with businesses increasingly moving their operations to cloud-based platforms. (2)

6. Mobile apps are also considered as part of software. According to the latest statistics on mobile app development, The global mobile app development market reached a value of USD 206.85 billion in 2022. It is expected to grow at an annual rate of 12.1% from 2024 to 2032, reaching USD 666.1 billion.

7. DevOps adoption is expected to increase by 18% in 2024, with more companies integrating DevOps practices to enhance their software delivery and operational efficiency. (2)

8. Global spending on software security is forecasted to grow by 14.5% in 2024, reflecting the rising importance of secure software development practices. (2)

9. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to see a growth rate of 21.5% in software development spending by 2024, driven by the expansion of digital economies in countries like China and India. (2)

10. The market for low-code development platforms is set to grow at a CAGR of 27.9% through 2024 as businesses seek to accelerate application development with minimal coding. (3)

Software Developer Statistics by Demographics  

Learning about software developers statistics can help businesses identify the demographics and regions where the top 1% of developers reside. This will help with recruiting the right talent pools when hiring software developers. Also, the average age of software developers and their salary range can help businesses make data-driven decisions when hiring software development agencies.

11. Women make up about 25.1% of the software engineering workforce in the US, with men holding the majority of positions in the field. (4)

12. The global average age of employed software developers is between 25 and 34 years old. Developers aged 18-24 make up 25.47%, while those between 35-44 years old account for 18.42%. Only 6.64% are aged 45-54, and less than 1% are over 65. (5)

13. In the U.S., White developers constitute 52.3% of the workforce, followed by Asian developers, who represent up to 33%. Black and Hispanic developers make up smaller portions of the industry. (4)

14. A significant portion of developers hold a bachelor’s degree, with many others having completed boot camps or other specialized training programs. The rise of alternative education paths continues to diversify the educational background of software developers globally. (5)

15. A large segment of the software development workforce has under ten years of experience, reflecting the relatively young age of the profession. The demand for upskilling and continuous learning is high to keep up with technological advancements. (5)

16. The US and India are home to the largest populations of software developers, accounting for 18.33% and 12.61% of the global developer workforce, respectively. Other significant contributors include Germany and the UK. (5)

17. The pandemic has accelerated the trend of remote work, with a majority of software developers now working remotely either full-time or part-time. This shift has opened up opportunities for developers across different regions, promoting a more global workforce. (5)

18. On average, women in software engineering roles earn about 93 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts. This gender pay gap, while narrower than in some other fields, still persists. (4)

19. Women hold around 20% of senior software engineering positions, indicating a continuing challenge in achieving gender balance at higher levels of the profession. (4)

20. Only one in four software engineers are women, and the percentage of women pursuing computer science degrees has declined recently. Despite growth opportunities, this trend may affect gender diversity in the field moving forward. (4)

Most Used Software Development Programming Languages in 2024

While this is a bit technical, this information may help you in the future. Learning about software development statistics in programming language helps the clients understand the availability and feasibility of the project development cost. Also, Popular languages often have larger talent pools, which can impact project timelines and budgets. Here are the top programming languages of 2024 for software development,

21. JavaScript is the most commonly used language for web development, maintaining a 62.2% market share in 2024. (6)

22. HTML/CSS is the second most popular programming language in 2024, holding a 52.9% market share. (6)

23. Python is ranked third in popularity, with a 51% market share, as it is one of the oldest programming languages in usage. (6)

24. SQL continues to be a top choice for high-performance applications, holding a 51% market share in 2024. (6)

25. Typescript ranks fifth with a 38.5% market share. (6)

Top Software Development Tools Used in 2024

By staying updated on the best software development tools, potential clients can make better decisions, improve project results, and choose the right software development partners to bring their ideas to life. Understanding popular tools can help clients avoid vendor lock-in and ensure flexibility. Here are some of the popular software development tools in 2024,

26. As of 2024, GitHub continues to be the most widely used code repository platform, with over 100 million developers worldwide actively using it for version control and collaborative software development. This platform’s popularity is boosted by its seamless integration with various CI/CD tools. (8)

27. 77% of Agile teams globally rely on Jira for project management and issue tracking, particularly in larger organizations where detailed sprint planning and backlog management are critical. (9)

28. In 2024, Visual Studio Code remains the most popular text editor, used by 60% of developers due to its rich ecosystem of extensions, ease of customization, and strong support for multiple programming languages. (10)

29. Docker’s containerization platform is utilized by 70% of software developers to streamline the development and deployment of applications, ensuring consistency across different environments. (11)

30. As a cloud-based development environment, AWS Cloud9 is employed by 40% of cloud-native development teams, enabling collaborative real-time coding, debugging, and serverless application development. (12)

Software Developer Productivity and Tools Statistics  

To understand the software development performance benchmarking, go with a software development company that utilizes these tools. It will help developers collaborate and streamline the development process, which can reduce the timeline and cost-effectively. Here are some of the productivity tools for software development in 2024.

31. The adoption of Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) tools like Jenkins and GitLab has risen significantly, with 77% of organizations now using these tools to streamline development and deployment processes, leading to faster release cycles and improved team productivity. (13)

32. Slack remains a leading tool for developer collaboration, integrated with over 2,200 apps, including GitHub and Jira, which has led to a 30% increase in team productivity by reducing the need for context switching. (14)

33. Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) like Visual Studio Code and JetBrains have seen a 20% increase in usage due to features like in-IDE code review and real-time collaboration, helping developers reduce time spent on context switching. (13)

34. Tools like Salt, which automate configuration management and orchestrate complex SaaS infrastructures, have contributed to a 40% increase in efficiency for managing large-scale systems with thousands of servers. (14)

35. Postman, widely used for API development, has contributed to a 35% reduction in debugging time for developers by streamlining API testing and documentation. (14)

Software Development Lifecycle Statistics 2024 

These are some of the most important software development statistics for businesses that want to develop one. By learning about defect detection and the cost, they can plan early and mitigate the risk. This will effectively reduce the development cost of software and prevent delays and additional expenses. With these statistics, they can plan ahead and go with a software development company that puts emphasis on quality assurance and testing.

36. 56% of defects in software development are introduced during the requirements and design stages, highlighting the importance of thorough planning and early-stage testing within the SDLC. (15)

37. Fixing defects detected in the design phase is ten times cheaper than fixing them during the implementation phase and 100 times cheaper than fixing them after the product release. (15)

38. 80% of software development teams implement agile methodologies as part of their SDLC, integrating continuous testing and development to streamline the process. (15)

39. Only 60% of projects strictly follow all SDLC phases, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential pitfalls in software development. (15)

40. 22% of software projects fail due to poorly defined requirements during the Requirement Analysis phase, underscoring the critical need for clear and precise initial planning. (15)

Custom Software Development vs. Off-the-Shelf Solutions Statistics

Most startups and small businesses choose to go with readymade software because it’s a cheaper alternative. However, investing in custom software development can help your business scale with only one time of investment. Here are some of the states which help you decide which one to go for,

41. Businesses that invest in custom software development experience up to 29% higher returns over five years compared to those using off-the-shelf solutions due to tailored features that better meet specific needs. (16)

42. 89% of companies using custom software report higher satisfaction with customization options, as the software can adapt precisely to their workflows, unlike off-the-shelf software, which often forces compromises. (16)

43. While custom software has higher upfront costs, 63% of businesses find that they save significantly on licensing fees and updates over time, unlike off-the-shelf solutions, which often require ongoing subscription fees. (16)

44. 78% of businesses using custom software report better scalability and easier adaptation to growing needs, as custom solutions can be expanded and modified as the business evolves. (16)

45. 74% of companies prefer custom software for its enhanced security features, as it can be tailored to meet specific regulatory compliance requirements, reducing vulnerability to breaches compared to generic off-the-shelf software. (16)

Key Software Development Skills and Qualifications Sought by Employers

To help you make the right decision when you start to look for software developers, here are some of the most important skills everyone looks for. As technology advances, most software developers have basic skills, but they also need to have advanced skills. It will help your business with security and streamline the workflow with the latest technology.

46. In 2024, 80% of organizations prioritize cybersecurity skills in their software development teams due to increasing threats and the need for robust security measures. (17)

47. 72% of employers are focusing on cloud computing skills, specifically in platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, as businesses continue to migrate to cloud-based infrastructures. (17)

48. 67% of companies seek developers with strong data management and analysis capabilities, which is crucial for leveraging big data to inform business decisions. (18)

49. 55% of businesses are planning to increase their RPA workforce in 2024, reflecting the growing reliance on automation technologies to improve operational efficiency. (19)

50. 60% of employers emphasize the importance of communication and collaboration skills for developers, recognizing the need for effective teamwork and stakeholder engagement. (19)

Time and Cost of Software Development 2024

It’s important for potential clients to understand the time and cost involved in software development so they can budget accurately and allocate resources wisely. Providing statistics on average development times for different project complexities can help clients plan their timelines effectively. Additionally, sharing data on cost breakdowns, including factors such as team size, technology stack, and project scope, can help clients build realistic budgets.

51. The average time to develop custom software typically ranges from 4 to 12 months. This varies based on project complexity, team size, and other factors. (20)

52. The cost of developing software can vary widely. Simple applications may cost between $3,000 to $20,000, while complex enterprise solutions can exceed $150,000. (21)

53. Companies allocate approximately 63% of their software development budgets to design and new development efforts. Maintenance typically consumes around 15-20% of the total development cost. (22)

54. Developing a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system costs about $100,000, while e-commerce platforms can range from $50,000 to hundreds of thousands, depending on complexity. (22)

55. Projects using Agile methodologies are typically 20% faster than those using traditional Waterfall models. Agile methods also contribute to a 64% success rate in projects compared to 49% for Waterfall. (20)

56. QA and testing processes make up about 26% of software development budgets. Around 56% of software defects are identified during the design stage, which highlights the importance of thorough testing early in the process. (20)

57. Approximately 24% of businesses globally outsource their software development. This outsourcing is often driven by the need for cost savings and access to specialized skills. (21)

58. On average, software developers in the US have a median hourly wage of $59.71. However, costs can vary significantly based on location, expertise, and project scope. (22)

59. About 22% of software projects fail due to poorly defined requirements. Additionally, the choice of the wrong programming language or toolset contributes to 34% of project failures. (20)

60. JavaScript remains the most widely used programming language, with over 63.6% of developers globally utilizing it. Python is also highly popular, especially in startups, where 72% use it for data science and web development. (20)

Software Development Industry Trends Statistics

Keeping up with trends in the software development industry is crucial for clients to make well-informed decisions and stay ahead. It’s important to understand the fast pace of technological advancements, such as the increasing use of AI and cloud computing. By keeping an eye on emerging technologies and their potential impact on business operations, clients can identify opportunities for innovation and competitive advantage.

Healthcare

61. Remote Patient Monitoring: 65% of healthcare organizations have invested in or plan to invest in remote patient monitoring software by the end of 2024. This market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.1% from 2023 to 2028. (23)

62. Interoperability Solutions: 80% of healthcare providers are focusing on interoperability to integrate various health information systems, with a projected increase in interoperability-related software spending by 22% in 2024. (24)

Finance

63. AI-Powered Risk Management: 55% of financial institutions are using AI for risk management, with AI in finance projected to grow from $7.9 billion in 2023 to $16.7 billion by 2027. (25)

64. Blockchain for Secure Transactions: The adoption of blockchain technology in finance is growing, with 30% of financial firms expected to implement blockchain-based software by 2024. (26)

Manufacturing

65. Automation and Robotics: The global market for manufacturing software related to automation and robotics is expected to reach $6.2 billion by 2024, with 45% of manufacturers planning to increase their investment in these technologies. (27)

66. Hyper-Personalization: 53% of manufacturing firms are investing in hyper-personalization software, driven by a need to improve customer engagement. (28)

Retail

67. E-commerce Platforms: 62% of retailers have prioritized the development of AI-driven e-commerce platforms, with e-commerce software expected to generate revenues of $4.9 trillion globally by 2024. (29)

68. Supply Chain Management: 48% of retail companies are investing in supply chain management software, with the market projected to grow by 11.3% CAGR over the next five years. (30)

Education

69. E-learning Platforms: 74% of educational institutions are utilizing or planning to implement AI-driven e-learning platforms by 2024, with the e-learning market expected to be valued at $325 billion by 2025. (31)

70. Student Data Analytics: 67% of educators are adopting student data analytics software, aiming to improve personalized learning and student outcomes. (32)