State of Devs 2026 survey results: developers are exhausted

The State of Devs 2026 survey canvassed 5,463 developers (July-September 2026) about career security, wellbeing, workplace issues and attitudes toward AI. Responses show widespread job insecurity - nearly half reported insecurity or insufficient wages, about 25% have been laid off during their careers and almost 1 in 10 were laid off within the past nine months - while more than a quarter expect they’ll have to change careers within five years. Mental-health signals are strong: roughly two thirds have felt less motivated or more cynical recently, about half reported trouble focusing, procrastination, emotional exhaustion, and a reduced sense of accomplishment, and 62% said they’d experienced burnout at some point. Common workplace problems include bad management, burnout and work-life balance struggles.

AI use is pervasive but polarising: 49% feel positive about AI and 42% negative, yet nearly half report AI hasn’t improved their mental state, with concerns about addictive prompting, undermined learning and “AI brainfry.” Freeform responses raised fears that AI drives unrealistic productivity expectations from management. Persistent inequality compounds stress: women, LGBT+ people and neurodivergent respondents report higher discrimination and pressure to mask or change behaviour, increasing burnout risk. The prevailing emotions - exhaustion, disillusionment and overwhelm - paint an industry in flux that needs sustained conversation about AI, wellbeing and fair workplace practices.