Python Is Now the World’s Most Popular Programming Language, Dethroning JavaScript—Here’s What You Need to Know

Over the past few years, Python’s rise in popularity has been nothing short of remarkable. Once a language often associated with academia, data science, and small scripting tasks, Python has climbed its way to the top of the programming ranks. Recent reports from GitHub and industry ranking sources such as TIOBE suggest that Python may have indeed overtaken JavaScript as the most popular programming language today. But what does this shift mean for developers and the tech industry at large?

A Look at the Numbers

In 2024, GitHub’s annual Octoverse report—a well-regarded index for monitoring language popularity—showed that Python now claims the number one spot in terms of repository contributions and developer activity. This ranking is no small feat considering that JavaScript, long dominant in web development, has held the top spot for nearly a decade. Meanwhile, the TIOBE Programming Community Index, which measures popularity based on search engine activity, also lists Python as the number one programming language, outpacing not just JavaScript but also long-standing languages like C and Java.

So, why this surge in popularity for Python? And what could this mean for JavaScript and the broader programming ecosystem?

The Appeal of Python

Python’s popularity stems from its simplicity, versatility, and ease of use, particularly for beginners. Designed to prioritize readability and maintainability, Python’s syntax is clean and intuitive, making it ideal for those new to coding. However, Python is far from limited to beginners; it has evolved to become a powerful tool across diverse fields like data science, artificial intelligence, web development, and automation.

Here's the full report