What 2023 Reveals About China’s Developers: Age, Salary, AI Adoption, and More

Important Findings

Developers under 30 are decreasing year‑by‑year, now accounting for 71% of the total.

Backend development remains the most common role; the proportion of developers earning 8,000‑17,000 CNY dropped from 49.2% to 40.2%.

Job mobility is slower than expected: over 30% of developers did not change jobs in 2023.

Python usage surged to 31.2%; low‑level assembly is the least liked language.

26.6% of developers are optimistic about generative AI; 34% have used ChatGPT, and 61% believe AI programming cannot replace developers.

Cloud‑native technologies are gaining traction in AI, big data, edge computing, and 5G.

While cloud databases offer higher reliability and security, 83% of developers remain concerned about data safety.

Domestic operating systems still lag behind foreign ones in user experience, habits, upgrade cost, and application compatibility.

Chip technology requires extensive knowledge and experience; talent reserves in China are still limited.

96% of developers use open‑source software.

2023 Developer Portrait: Under‑30 Decline, Salary Concentrated at 8k‑17k

The report aims to paint a vivid picture of developers' real lives, helping both seasoned engineers and newcomers navigate their careers.

Programmers' Daily Routine

Only about 9% of developers spend more than 70% of their time writing code each day; the majority spend most of their time in meetings. 75.5% write no more than 300 lines of code daily, with the 101‑200 line range being the most common (20.2%).

Software Development Tools: Python Rise, ChatGPT Usage

Java remains the most used language (42.9%); Python usage has risen to 31.2% driven by its readability, flexibility, and strong scientific computing capabilities. Over a third of developers plan to learn Python within a year. 34% have used ChatGPT, and 45% have tried AI‑assisted programming tools.

AIGC Creates a New Track

ChatGPT sparked a wave of generative AI development, attracting many talents. 41% of developers started AIoT work in 2022. AI tools for portrait restoration are widely adopted, and applications like “MiaoYa Camera” have become popular.

Cloud‑Native as a Growth Engine

Cloud‑native is a key infrastructure for AI, big data, edge computing, and 5G. 44% of developers cite improved development efficiency, and 45% focus on micro‑service architecture. Docker, Kubernetes, and DevOps tools are considered essential.

Domestic Databases Enter a New Innovation Stage

31% of developers see rapid progress in domestic databases. TiDB, AliSQL, and OceanBase lead the market. Open‑source databases hold the highest adoption (39%). Challenges include migration cost and compatibility.

Operating System Shells Evolving Rapidly

23% of developers feel domestic OS meet daily needs, but 66.71% cite application compatibility issues, and 48.19% point to user‑experience gaps. HarmonyOS, Deepin, and Zhongbiao Kirin are the most recognized domestic OSes.

Chip Road: Long and Challenging

Only 6% of developers have deep chip knowledge; 56.62% worry about market‑product mismatch, and 50% fear design specifications cannot be realized. Most chip teams are small (40.42% have fewer than 10 people). C/C++ and Verilog are the primary languages.

Open‑Source Becomes Indispensable

96% of developers use open‑source software; Java, Python, and C++ are the top languages. Contributions are mainly code (72.9%) and documentation (49%). However, most contributors work for free, with only 8% receiving compensation.