The invention relates to a developer for photosensitive polyimide resin compositions, comprising an alkaline aqueous solution containing a basic compound (A) represented by a formula (1): wherein X+ is N+ or P+, R is an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 10 ring forming carbon atoms, Y− is a monovalent anion, m is 0 or 1, n is 3 or 4, and m+n is 4, with the proviso that when m is 0, n is 4, and R is an alkyl group, the total number of carbon atoms of 4 alkyl groups is at least 13, or when m is 1, n is 3, and R is an alkyl group, the total number of carbon atoms of 3 alkyl groups is at least 6.