Every year, the JetBrains State Developer Ecosystem Report explores the world of software development in depth, looking at how developers work, what tools they use, and how the industry is changing. This 2025 edition, supplemented by the latest findings from the second wave of the JetBrains AI Pulse Survey (January 2026), highlights the MENA region in a state of rapid, agile acceleration. While the global trend points towards a shift in performance metrics – moving away from DORA to productivity indicators – the data from MENA explores how a significantly younger workforce is navigating structural challenges and leading the charge on AI adoption.
AI proficiency is a regional standard
In MENA, AI tools have moved beyond experimentation into daily professional infrastructure at a rate that slightly exceeds the global average. The results reveal that 96% of developers in this region use at least one AI tool for work. This proficiency extends deep into the workplace, where 66% of regional developers believe it is likely their company will try AI coding agents in the next 12 months. Furthermore, 13% of developers report their company already uses such tools at work.
One of the most distinct regional traits is the specific selection of professional AI tools. When asked, “which of these AI tools do you use for your coding and other development-related tasks at work”, regional developers showed a diverse reliance on high performance tools: GitHub Copilot leads at (24%), followed closely by Anthropic Claude Code at 22%, Cursor at 18%, and JetBrains AI tools at 9%.
The region is also looking ahead to more advanced integration. Regarding future adoption, when asked “which AI tools do you plan to adopt in the next 12 months?” developers in MENA cited JetBrains AI tools (15%), Cursor (18%), Anthropic Claude Code (16%), Google Antigravity (9%) and GitHub Copilot (7%).
Languages and tools: A mobile and web-centric stack
The programming languages and development types gaining traction across the region reflect a strong narrative focused on consumer-facing web and mobile platforms. A defining characteristic of this landscape is the higher involvement in mobile and web development compared to global averages, with 40% of developers executing end-user applications on mobile platforms versus 31% globally. This focus is further evidenced by a tech stack adapted to regional demands, where usage of languages like Dart (13% vs 8% globally) and Kotlin (19% vs 18% globally) remains elevated to support mobile-first growth.
Furthermore, the higher regional use of HTML/CSS and PHP supports the conclusion of a relatively higher share of website development compared to global trends. While only 10% of developers in MENA cite PHP as their primary language, a significant 25% reported using it over the past year, showcasing a resilience that outpaces global trends. Primary language shifts further underscore this evolution, as Java is notably less prevalent as the main language in the region (16%) compared to the global benchmark (24%), with developers pivoting towards Python (19%) and TypeScript (11%) to meet evolving project demands. This shift towards versatile, web-compatible languages is being accelerated by the region’s rapid AI adoption, with 32% of developers now focused on creating AI-powered apps, features, and agents.
Developer decision-making and influence
A significant finding in the State of Developer Ecosystem data is the level of autonomy and influence that developers in MENA hold within their organisations. Results reveal that 55% of these developers report having significant or final authority over new technology purchases, which stands in sharp contrast to the 40% global average.
This high level of influence is further reflected in how developers shape their technical environments. When asked if they advocate for development tools they like within their company or organisation, 81% of developers in the region answered affirmatively. This active participation in tool selection mirrors the global trend of 84%, highlighting a workforce that is deeply invested in choosing its own toolkit.
Developer reality: Other market specifics
While the global report explores changing realities, the data from MENA highlights unique structural and demographic characteristics that define its developer landscape. Economic barriers represent a tangible challenge, as 20% of developers report that it is hard or impossible to purchase paid IDEs or code editors in their country, a figure that is more than double the global average of 9%.
The region is also home to one of the world’s youngest developer populations, with 61% of respondents under the age of 30, compared to 50% globally. This youthful energy is paired with a distinct professional focus, as regional developers are heavily engaged in building the digital backbone for their local economies, specifically within the e-commerce (19%) and mobile development (22%), and banking and other fintech sectors (15%). According to the AI Pulse Survey, 20% of developers in the region are now involved in AI engineering.
A region reimagined: Leading a charge in AI and agile growth
The combined data from the State of Developer Ecosystem and AI Pulse Survey for MENA reveals a workforce that is not just adapting to change, but actively accelerating it. While the global landscape is rebalancing, MENA developers are establishing a new regional standard through high AI proficiency, a mobile-first professional focus, and unprecedented levels of autonomy in technical decision-making.
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Methodology
The Developer Ecosystem Data survey ran from April to June 2025 and included 24,534 developers globally, 645 whom reside in the MENA region, after data cleaning. In addition, data from the JetBrains AI Pulse Survey 2026 2nd wave (January 2026) was used. The AI Pulse data is collected via external channels (social media ads targeting developers) and JetBrains Research Panel in January 2026.
