The results are in! The State of Enterprise Java: 2025 Jakarta EE Developer Survey Report has just been released, offering the industry’s most comprehensive look at the state of enterprise Java. Now in its eighth year, the report captures the perspectives of more than 1700 developers, architects, and decision-makers, a 20% increase in participation compared to 2024.
The survey results give us insight into Jakarta EE’s role as the leading framework for building modern, cloud native Java applications. With the release of Jakarta EE 11, the community’s commitment to modernisation is clear, and adoption trends confirm its central role in shaping the future of enterprise Java. Here are a few of the major findings from this year’s report:
Jakarta EE Adoption Surpasses Spring
For the first time, more developers reported using Jakarta EE (58%) than Spring (56%). This clearly indicates growing awareness that Jakarta EE provides the foundation for popular frameworks like Spring. This milestone underscores Jakarta EE’s momentum and the community’s confidence in its role as the foundation for enterprise Java in the cloud era.
Rapid Uptake of Jakarta EE 11
Released earlier this year, Jakarta EE 11 has already been adopted by 18% of respondents. Thanks to its staged release model, with Core and Web Profiles first, followed by the full platform release, developers are migrating faster than ever from older versions.
Shifts in Java SE Versions
The community continues to embrace newer Java versions. Java 21 adoption leapt to 43%, up from 30% in 2024, while older versions like Java 8 and 17 declined. Interestingly, Java 11 showed a rebound at 37%, signaling that organisations continue to balance modernisation with stability.
Cloud Migration Strategies Evolve
While lift-and-shift (22%) remains the dominant approach, developers are increasingly exploring modernisation paths. Strategies include gradual migration with microservices (14%), modernising apps to leverage cloud-native features (14%), and full cloud-native builds (14%). At the same time, 20% remain uncertain, highlighting a need for clear guidance in this complex journey.
Community Priorities
Survey respondents reaffirmed priorities around cloud native readiness and faster specification adoption, while also emphasising innovation and strong alignment with Java SE.
Why This Matters
These findings highlight not only Jakarta EE’s accelerating momentum but also the vibrant role the community plays in steering its evolution. With enterprise Java powering mission-critical systems across industries, the insights from this survey provide a roadmap for organisations modernising their applications in an increasingly cloud native world.
A Call to the Community
The Jakarta EE Developer Survey continues to serve as a vital barometer of the ecosystem. With the Jakarta EE Working Group hard at work on the next release, including innovative features, there’s never been a better time to get involved. Whether you’re a developer, architect, or enterprise decision-maker, now is the perfect time to get involved:
- Explore the full report
- Join the Jakarta EE Working Group: Shape the platform’s future while engaging directly with the community.
- Contribute: Your feedback, participation, and innovations help Jakarta EE evolve faster.
With the Jakarta EE Working Group already preparing for the next release, including new cloud native capabilities, the momentum is undeniable. Together, we are building the future of enterprise Java.
