2024 Java Developer Productivity Report: Companies Increasing Hiring Despite Static Tool Budgets
The 2024 Java Productivity Report, released by Perforce Software on March 5, reveals a notable trend in the industry: most companies plan to expand their Java developer teams this year. Despite this growth in talent acquisition, the majority of firms are not increasing their budgets for Java development tools, reflecting a cautious approach to financial investment in these resources.
According to the report, 60% of survey respondents indicated that their companies are poised to add Java developers in 2024. This increase in hiring underscores the ongoing demand for skilled Java professionals. However, the report also highlights a more conservative stance regarding budget allocations for Java tools. Only 42% of respondents plan to raise their spending on these tools, suggesting that while the need for developers is strong, financial commitments to tool enhancements are relatively static.
The survey gathered insights from 440 Java users across 72 countries, including 27% from the United States. The data collection spanned from November 2023 to January 2024, encompassing a diverse group of Java developers and architects, both from within and outside of the Perforce customer base.
In terms of Java version usage, the report reveals a varied adoption landscape. Approximately 11% of respondents have already upgraded to Java 21, the latest version. Meanwhile, 24% are still using Java 8, and 18% are on Java 11. The continued use of Java 8, despite its Premier-level support ending in March 2022, suggests that many organizations are relying on third-party vendors like Amazon, Azul, and OpenLogic for ongoing support.
Perforce anticipates that the adoption of Java 21 will continue to grow, particularly as Oracle plans to accelerate its release schedule for long-term support JDKs. Oracle’s shift to a biennial release cycle is expected to drive more developers and organizations to adopt the latest versions more swiftly, further influencing the Java development landscape.
Overall, the 2024 Java Productivity Report paints a picture of a robust demand for Java development talent, with companies expanding their teams while keeping their tool budgets relatively stable. As the industry adapts to new versions of Java and evolving support structures, these trends will likely shape the future dynamics of Java development.