As a general statement, I feel like this is objectively false. Just look at how much code gets added to Github daily.
If anything, I'd argue the LOC it takes to accomplish many tasks is actually increasing because applications are held to higher standards of quality, scalability, availability, scope, etc.
I'm certain someone did such surveys.
Software isn't entirely driven by need, sometimes politics or licensing preclude the use of libraries. Sometimes libraries are not specific for your area and cannot be used - typical when handling hard real time applications or when otherwise microseconds matter.
Sure, it's easy enough. But until you can actually point to the surveys, we can't say anything about the code on Github relating to the point being made.
there are a lot of programmers which develop purely in visual environments such as LabVIEW, Max/MSP, PureData, vvvv, and others - you just don't hear them complaining on hn :p