[0x073]

Its wrong, or at least not my definition of few people.

https://thephp.foundation/structure/

"Core Developers The PHP Foundation contracts 10 full-time and part-time engineers to maintain and develop the PHP language."

[johannes1234321]

There are many, people doing (good, valuable) things on PHP, however active people with deep understanding of the engine can be counted on less than a hand. (I contributed some small things to the engine and other parts in the past)

[kingofthehill98]

One of those people is Nikita Popov (nikic). PHP core development took a hard hit when he left to work on other projects at JetBrains.

[withinboredom]

Not to mention all the volunteers.