CNCF and SlashData Survey Finds Cloud Native Ecosystem Surges to 15.6M Developers

New research reveals 15.6 million developers now use cloud native technologies, with backend and DevOps professionals leading adoption Key Highlights: CNCF and SlashData release State of Cloud Native Development research report. Survey finds cloud native adoption has reached 15.6 million developers globally, with backend and DevOps (58%) professionals leading the way. Research shows 77% of backend developers are using at least one cloud native technology. The report notes cloud infrastructure strategies are shifting: hybrid cloud use has grown to 32% and multi-cloud to 26% among developers, and distributed cloud is emerging among backend teams. ATLANTA, KUBECON + CLOUDNATIVECON NORTH AMERICA – November 11, 2025 – The Cloud Native Computing Foundation® (CNCF®), which builds sustainable ecosystems for cloud native software, today released new insights from its latest State of Cloud Native Development report with SlashData , revealing the evolving footprint of cloud native development across backend, AI and DevOps communities. The findings reflect the growing adoption and diversification of cloud native practices globally and the effects of cloud native in AI. “The data confirms what we’re seeing in the ecosystem: cloud native is expanding far beyond traditional backend and container infrastructure use cases,” said Chris Aniszczyk, CTO, CNCF. “From platform engineering to AI, developers are incorporating cloud native technologies to meet reliability, scalability and operational needs. ” Cloud Native Adoption Reaches Scale Cloud native technologies are now a cornerstone of modern software delivery. The 15.6 million developers adopting these tools represent a critical mass driving efficiency, automation, and resiliency. 77% of backend developers report using at least one cloud native technology, highlighting greater adoption. Backend and DevOps professionals lead adoption at 58%, reflecting cloud native’s deep integration in enterprise operations.