Projections for global developer population growth have been scaled back because of struggling economies, according to a study released last week.

This year's projections in the 2009 Global Developer Population and Demographics Study have been affected by the world's economic troubles, according to Evans Data.

The most hard-hit areas are those with industrialized economies. They include North America, Western Europe, and Japan, where growth projections have decreased 78% from 2008's forecast for the current year. Last year, Evans Data projected a 7.4% growth rate in the developer population, which was expected to reach 15.2 million in 2009, but the company has revised its estimates for a growth rate of 4.3% and a worldwide developer population total of 14.5 million.

Other areas will fare better, but most will still see decreases in developer populations of about 35% compared with last year. The developer population in India and China will grow by 22%, according to the report.

Although 2010 and 2011 may bring see some recovery, developer growth will not return to previously forecast levels until 2012, according to the report, which is based on responses from more than 1,200 developers around the world.

"This set of research was designed to be complementary to our Global Development Research Series, providing product management and marketing professionals a very discrete and granular country view of developer populations and demographics today and into the future," John Andrews, CEO of Evans Data, said in a statement released last week. "Our unique research capabilities provide product professionals a very sound and precise way to plan and execute on their global product and service strategies as these geographies experience tremendous change."

InformationWeek has published an in-depth report on the current state of IT salaries. Download the report here (registration required).