Does Java Really Use Too Much Memory? Let’s Look at the Facts (JEPs)

Java's reputation for excessive memory usage is largely outdated. Modern Java has introduced significant improvements: ZGC and Shenandoah for low-latency GC, virtual threads (JEP 444) reducing per-thread memory from ~1MB to KBs, compact object headers (JEP 450) shrinking object sizes, Class Data Sharing for reduced footprint across JVM instances, and proper container awareness. Practical code examples show that most real-world memory problems stem from developer mistakes like unbounded caches or excessive platform threads, not the JVM itself. Upcoming features like Project Valhalla promise further improvements.