Top 10 statistics on why coding is a critical skill for the future

Author: Simon Davenport, Chief Marketing Officer at Creative Hut

Having worked in education for more than ten years, I’ve seen coding go from a niche subject to a basic skill for the digital age. The numbers below show why coding is an even more important skill to learn today, with every piece of data showing how big the changes in technology are and how important it is to teach kids how to code in schools and elsewhere. For schools looking to take the next step, we've included our top five tips for integrating coding not only into the classroom but also into broader education programs that deliver real-life impact.

A UK‑specific challenge and National Coding Week

Here in the UK, there is a stark digital skills gap: the UK Government reports that the shortfall in digital capabilities costs the economy £63 billion per year and that 7.5 million adults (18% of the population) lack essential digital skills needed for the workplace. Almost half of employers struggle to recruit staff with data skills and half of workers have not received any data skills training in the past two years. Although computing has been a mandatory subject in England’s national curriculum since 2014, there are few specialist teachers and a lack of new recruits to improve the situation. Another study found that 48 % of UK businesses have a basic digital skills shortage, 68 % report a lack of advanced digital skills, and 50 % of businesses have a basic cyber‑security skills gap. These figures reveal that coding literacy is not just a global priority but an urgent UK need.

National Coding Week, founded in 2014 by former headteacher Richard Rolfe and EU Code Week Ambassador Jordan Love, grew from a grassroots initiative to help adults improve their digital literacy and fill the skills gap. Run entirely by volunteers in hubs, libraries, schools, businesses and NGOs, the week encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to learn coding. It has received support from prominent leaders and events across Wales, Scotland and England. The celebration now extends beyond the UK, but its origins remind us that inclusive, community‑driven initiatives can mobilise teachers, parents and companies to tackle the skills crisis.

1) 75% of new applications will use low‑code by 2026: Low‑code will power most new apps

By 2026, 75 % of new applications will be built using low‑code platforms, and 80 % of users of these tools will be outside IT departments. Low‑code and no‑code platforms are democratising software creation, enabling non‑programmers to build apps through visual interfaces. According to this trend, everyone who wants to develop and modify digital solutions will need to comprehend the logic of coding. Being able to think like a programmer becomes essential as more and more organisations depend on citizen developers to fulfil their software requirements.

2) In 2025, AI will replace 85 million jobs: AI creates new opportunities but threatens jobs

By 2025, artificial intelligence is predicted by the World Economic Forum to replace 85 million jobs. At the same time, millions of new jobs are anticipated to be created by automation and artificial intelligence. By 2030, generative AI is predicted to automate about 30% of all work hours, leaving only 3% of software engineering skills that are truly resistant to automation. Employees with coding skills and the ability to work with AI will be in the best position to adjust, develop new tools, and advance into more creative, higher-value positions that are difficult for machines to imitate.

3) 62% of students are interested in computer science, but only 6.4% enroll: Students are interested, but access is limited

According to a 2021 Amazon-Gallup study, only 6.4% of high school students are enrolled in a foundational computer science course, despite the fact that 62% of students are interested in learning the subject. The need for schools to incorporate coding into the curriculum and supply teachers and resources to meet demand is highlighted by this disparity between enthusiasm and accessibility. As the digital economy expands, many students, especially those from low-income communities, will fall behind if nothing is done.

4) 3.9 million underserved students reached by Amazon Future Engineer: Corporate programs reach millions but need expansion

Amazon Future Engineer (AFE) shows how companies can help fill the access gap. The program provides free virtual field trips, hands‑on challenges and scholarships. By 2024, AFE reached 3.9 million students from underrepresented communities worldwide. AFE also offers teacher training, career tours and paid internships. Yet millions more students have little or no exposure to coding—underscoring why more companies should invest in inclusive computer‑science initiatives.

5) 40 million developer shortage growing to 85.2 million by 2030: A developer shortage is looming

The rapid digitisation of business processes has created a talent gap of 40 million software developers, projected to swell to 85.2 million by 2030. This shortfall is one reason businesses are turning to low‑code platforms and citizen developers. Teaching coding in schools and through corporate training is critical to meeting demand and ensuring that nations remain competitive in the global economy. In the UK specifically, the technology sector reports that 48 % of businesses have a basic digital skills shortage, 68 % lack advanced digital skills, and half of all organisations have cyber‑security skill gaps. If the UK is to take advantage of opportunities in AI, cyber security, and software development, these shortages must be addressed through education and reskilling.

6) 50% of Code.org students come from marginalized groups: Inclusive programs are growing

Code.org, supported by Amazon, Microsoft and Facebook, has become a driving force in computer science education. It has partnered with 74 school districts in the US and ensures that 50 % of participating students come from marginalised groups. Code.org shows how industry and education can work together to scale inclusivity by providing advocacy, teacher training, and curricula. Closing racial and gender disparities in technology requires the expansion of similar initiatives globally.

7) 70% of new applications built with low‑code by 2025: Citizen developers are on the rise

Demand for applications built by non‑IT staff is growing five times faster than IT capacity, leading 70 % of new applications at large enterprises to be built with low‑code in 2025. Since there are four times as many citizen developers as professional developers, knowing how to code becomes a universal ability. To prevent creating biased or insecure systems, everyone developing digital tools needs to be familiar with fundamental concepts like data structures and algorithmic thinking.

8) By 2030, 39% of critical skills will shift: The need for digital skills is evolving

By 2030, employers anticipate that 39% of critical skills will have changed, and technological skills like artificial intelligence and data analysis are becoming more and more significant. Critical thinking, problem solving, and digital literacy are transferable skills that are fostered by coding education and will continue to be useful as technologies advance. Workers who have a foundation in programming are better able to collaborate across disciplines and pick up new tools quickly.

9) Only 3% of software engineering skills are resistant to automation, even though 30% of work hours may be automated by 2030: Ethical dilemmas necessitate literacy

Threats to cognitive autonomy, algorithmic biases, and privacy are all brought about by generative AI in education. Students risk becoming passive users of opaque systems if they don't comprehend how algorithms operate. Thus, ethics, data security, and responsible AI should all be covered in coding education. Biases and misuse can be reduced by teaching students to question and enhance algorithms.

10) The low-code market is expected to reach $101.7 billion by 2030. The market for low-code is expanding

At a compound annual growth rate of 22.3%, the global low-code market is expected to reach $101.7 billion by 2030, having generated $30.1 billion in revenue in 2024. This explosion highlights how essential software has become to all sectors of the economy. Those who understand coding can harness low‑code tools to innovate faster, automate processes and address new opportunities without waiting for scarce engineering talent.

Conclusion – five tips for integrating coding in UK schools and empowering future‑ready skills

Coding literacy is no longer optional; it is a responsibility shared by educators, industry and policymakers. For the UK in particular, initiatives like National Coding Week show how a volunteer‑led movement can spark interest and mobilise communities around digital literacy. As we look to bridge the skills gap, these five steps provide practical guidance for teachers and school leaders while highlighting how Creative Hut and corporate partners can help.

Tip 1: Invest in teacher training and support

The biggest hurdle many schools face is a lack of trained teachers. Programs such as Code.org’s professional learning courses can prepare K‑12 teachers, and Amazon Future Engineer sponsors district‑wide on‑site professional development and coaching. Creative Hut offers face‑to‑face CPD training that includes product walkthroughs, curriculum‑linked activities and national curriculum alignment across STEAM subjects. Teachers can access courses like Introduction to LEGO Education Resources, Computational Thinking, and Creative Digital Media around-the-clock through its eLearning platform. In addition to promoting these resources, educators and administrators ought to schedule time for continuous professional development.

Tip 2: Secure funding and resources through partnerships

Due to the necessary time and financial investment to develop relevant content and curricula, businesses can assist in closing this gap. Established with philanthropic support, Everton In The Communities (EITC) Digital Skills Lab in Merseyside demonstrates how companies and donors can finance cutting-edge training and learning environments. The project has involved over 1,200 students from 63 schools since opening in November 2022.

Tip 3: Ensure equitable access to technology and infrastructure

Many rural and low‑income schools lack reliable internet and modern computers. Creative Hut’s mobile delivery model brings STEAM workshops directly to schools and communities, enabling kids to solve real‑world problems without needing their own lab. The Think Big programme gives teachers free, ready‑to‑use coding kits and CPD training so that every visit leaves a lasting impact. Schools can also partner with community centres or libraries to share resources and lobby for public investment in broadband. Businesses that rely on a skilled digital workforce can donate refurbished equipment, host after‑school programs or provide cloud resources so that all students can experiment with coding.

Tip 4: Develop inclusive, flexible curricula – and add cybersecurity

Keeping up with fast‑changing programming languages and catering to diverse learners is challenging. Teachers can start with visual or block‑based languages for younger students and gradually introduce text‑based coding. While incorporating ethics and cybersecurity principles, curricula should accommodate varying learning styles and aptitudes. According to Research.com, incorporating cybersecurity concepts aids students in comprehending risk management and digital privacy.

Computational thinking and creative digital media courses support continuous education in this rapidly changing world and educational institutions can collaborate with Creative Hut to create eLearning portals with unique branding and content. Students are better prepared to create secure and accountable systems when subjects like algorithmic bias, digital media production, and cyber safety are incorporated into STEAM projects.

Tip 5: Develop industry collaborations and real-world experiences

Schools can relate learning to actual careers through effective partnerships with local, national and international organisations who are looking to invest in the future within their communities. Amazon working with Creative Hut as their delivery partner offer robotics competitions, mobile STEAM workshops, and community events like Girls Tech Day, encouraging under-represented groups to pursue careers in technology. Businesses can donate staff members to mentor students, organise hackathons, or support regional coding events during National Coding Week. Such encounters demonstrate to students—and their instructors, that assistance is available and that coding is applicable to a variety of industries.

When combined, these actions can transform coding from a theoretical exercise into an engaging, inclusive learning environment for all students. UK schools can make the most of National Coding Week and empower the next generation of problem-solvers by investing in teachers, forming partnerships, guaranteeing access, creating flexible curricula, and establishing industry connections. As technology advances, integrating solutions like those provided by Creative Hut guarantees that coding abilities remain applicable while maintaining instruction based on actual classroom requirements.