I feel like you're not entirely serious about it, but i'm not sure about the premise of that statement.

To me, it feels like C/C++ has a barrier of entry that's significantly higher than that of other languages: e.g. everything from JavaScript and Python to those like .NET and Java.

Wouldn't that mean that it'd be easier to learn and be productive in the latter and therefore those devs would be more abundant? Whereas to be capable at C++, you'd need a bit more discipline/patience/whatever and therefore there would be fewer developers?

I see the same in regards to Rust - many talk about it, those who are used to low level development often look into it or adopt it, however those that are used to the languages with a higher level of abstraction, don't venture into actually using it quite as often.

For example, in the JetBrains survey of 2021, about 6% of people used Rust in the past 12 months, but 7% of people are planning of adopting it: https://www.jetbrains.com/lp/devecosystem-2021/ Contrast that with C#, which was used by 21% and had the interest of 4% and Java, which was used by 49% and had the interest of 4%. There are probably better data points about this, i just found this vaguely interesting in regards to that argument. Of course, a counterpoint could be that Rust is new, but if it's so popular, then why people aren't adopting it more quickly?

Summary: regardless of the language being discussed (C/C++/Rust/...), i feel that there will always be fewer developers in the languages with lower level of abstraction, since they feel inherently harder.