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What's the age of your community members?
What's the age of your community members?
72,1%
of european tech communities members fall into the Gen Z 20-30 (32.8%) and Millennials 30-40 (39.3%) age groups. This age distribution aligns closely with the timeline of when tech communities were founded, as shown in the following graph.
Correlation with Community formation
Correlation with Community formation
The graph below shows that most tech communities were established between 2010 and 2020, a period of digital transformation and rapid tech adoption. This growth attracted individuals in the 20-40 age range at the time:
20-30 years old (Gen Z & Young Millennials) grew up in a world where tech was ubiquitous.
30-40 years old (Millennials) matured professionally alongside the tech boom, becoming key contributors and leaders.
The dominance of Millennials and Gen Z in tech communities reflects their unique position as drivers of innovation, growing alongside major technological advancements. Their deep familiarity with digital tools and platforms explains their substantial presence and influence in shaping modern tech ecosystems.
Here's how generational dynamics and the timeline of community formation converge:Β
Here's how generational dynamics and the timeline of community formation converge:Β
<18 years old (5.5%): Generation Alpha (2013-today) and Young Gen Z (1997-2012). These individuals are just starting to explore tech, often through education or entry-level engagement in digital learning platforms.
20-30 years old (32.8%): Gen Z and Young Millennials. This group grew up as digital natives, immersed in technology, social media, and online collaboration tools. Their active participation coincides with the rise of modern tech platforms and startups post-2010.
30-40 years old (39.3%):Β Millennials (1981-1996). Millennials represent the core demographic of tech communities. They witnessed the explosion of the Internet, the emergence of smartphones, and the startup boom of the 2010s, which drove the exponential growth of tech ecosystems. Many are now established professionals, community leaders, and mentors.
40-50 years old (20.8%): Generation X (1965-1980). Gen X played a pioneering role in the early tech revolution, witnessing the birth of personal computers and the Internet. Today, they often serve as senior professionals or decision-makers within communities.
50-60 years old (8%): Late Gen X and Baby Boomers (1946-1964). This group contributed to the first wave of tech innovation but is less represented in modern online communities, focusing on leadership and consulting roles.
>60 years old (2.7%): Baby Boomers and Pre-Boomers. They are a small but notable presence, often recognized as pioneers or advisors with historical contributions to technology.
When were the communities founded?
When were the communities founded?
Rise of Communities (Post-2005): Tech communities saw exponential growth starting in the mid-2000s, coinciding with the increased accessibility of technology, social media platforms, and open-source development. This attracted a younger demographic (20-30 years old at the time), who were quick to adopt and grow alongside these digital ecosystems.
Peak Tech Adoption (2010-2020): The graph shows spikes in the creation of communities between 2010 and 2020, reflecting the rapid digital transformation, the rise of developer-focused platforms, and the explosion of tech startups. Individuals aged 20-40 during this period likely drove these communities, establishing a strong presence in both the "young professionals" (20-30) and "experienced developers/innovators" (30-40) age brackets.
Generational Adaptation: The lower percentages in the <18 (5.5%) and >50 (8%) age groups suggest that younger individuals are still in the learning phase, while older age groups may not engage as deeply with emerging online tech communities. This generational trend highlights the dominance of Millennials and early Gen Z professionals in shaping these networks.
Tech Maturity and Timing: Communities born in the 2010s provided the ideal environment for individuals aged 20-40 to contribute, learn, and grow together. These individuals now represent the core demographic driving innovation and collaboration in tech spaces.
Number of organizers among tech communities
Number of organizers among tech communities
84,2%
of the European tech communities has less than 5 organizers.Β
The data shows a significant increase in tech communities with fewer than 5 organizers, rising from 62.8% to 84.2%. This highlights an ongoing challenge: while being a community manager offers opportunities for leadership, collaboration, and skill growth, many developers struggle to dedicate sufficient time and resources to this role.
Communities often rely on volunteer efforts and free time, which makes them vulnerable to instability. Without sufficient organizers, communities face risks such as burnout, lack of continuity, and eventual decline if life changes prevent organizers from continuing their roles.
For a community to thrive and grow, it needs strong, sustainable leadership structures that ensure generational transitions and avoid dependence on a small core group. Supporting organizers and promoting shared leadership is essential to prevent these communities from stagnating or disappearing altogether.
Numbers of members in tech communities
Numbers of members in tech communities
74,1%
of the European tech communities has up to 2000 members.
Seen that 84.2% of European tech communities have fewer than 5 organizers, which limits their ability to scale and manage growth effectively. This aligns with the fact that 74.1% of communities have up to 2000 members and 56.7% remain under 1000 members. However, it's important to note that the number of members does not necessarily reflect active participation, where only a small fraction of members are highly active contributors. With such small organizing teams, communities tend to prioritize engagement and retention over rapid expansion, leading to slower, more steady growth and a focus on maintaining quality rather than quantity.
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