New research from low-code application platform (LCAP) provider OutSystems found big red flags in terms of developer retention.

OutSystems and Evans Data Corp. surveyed 800 global developers with different backgrounds to identify developer satisfaction trends and best practices to prevent burnout and turnover.

According to the research, retention is a major challenge for IT leaders and C-level executives, with just 48% of global respondents agreeing they would definitely still be working with their current company in a year's time. When asked about two years from now, only 29% of developers were confident they'll stay with their current employer.

In the U.S., the likelihood of developers staying put is even lower. The report found 38% agree they'll definitely be working at the same company in a year, and only 18% predicted they'd stick around for the next two years.

To that point, the report found 33% of developers in the U.S. are "seriously considering changing companies right now," with a similar 31% of respondents globally. But while retention prospects seems low, only 25% of U.S. developers agree there are a lot of easy opportunities to land a better gig at the moment, as opposed to 42% of respondents globally.

Though they're certainly comfortable exploring their options, a majority of U.S. developers are satisfied with the balance between their work and personal lives. Just 30% of U.S. respondents strongly agree they need a better work-life balance, and that figure rises to 50% of developers globally.

Naturally, the report specifically sought out how developers using low-code application platforms like OutSystems' fare in regards to job satisfaction and retention prospects.

Gartner's latest Hype Cycle for cloud platform services placed LCAP in a productivity plateau, representing the technology’s widespread acceptance and a broad understanding of its tangible benefits to organizations burdened by the shortage of skilled developers and IT personnel.

In this plateau state, more organizations are comfortable with the risks of the technology, and “the rapid growth phase of adoption begins,” according to the market research firm. It identified Mendix, Microsoft, OutSystems, Salesforce, and ServiceNow as leading LCAP vendors.

The research found low-code users as a subset of the broader developer community experience more satisfaction in terms of workload, shorter work weeks, and less overall factors that contribute to burnout.

A majority of low-code devs (71%) noted they often complete their work within the standard 40-hour work week as opposed to 44% of traditional developers.

In addition, the report found more than half of low-code devs are very satisfied with the productivity of their team (59%) and the quality of tools available to them at work (57%). Fewer traditional code users echoed the sentiments of those low-code respondents, with 41% and 36% satisfaction, respectively.

The research also showed 63% of low-code developers are happy with their compensation package compared to 40% of traditional developers.