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Top 14 most in-demand programming languages
April 3, 2025
Leading programming languages: a summary
| Python, JavaScript, and Java are currently the most demanded programming languages, with 45.7% of recruiters looking to hire Python developers, 41.5% searching for JavaScript specialists, and 39.5% seeking Java experts. | |
|---|---|
| Python becomes the most used language on GitHub, outperforming JavaScript after a decade of leadership. The substantial growth of generative AI and data science primarily fuels the demand for Python. | |
| Python continues to be the most popular programming language based on the TIOBE Index, increasing its share to 23.28% in 2025. |
Scheme title: Most demanded programming languages by recruiters worldwide in 2025
Data source: statista.com — Most demanded programming languages by recruiters worldwide in 2025
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Top 14 programming languages for 2025
Python
Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language with straightforward syntax that allows developers to quickly create readable and maintainable codebases. Python’s simplicity, versatility, and extensive collection of tools and libraries have made it a top choice for a wide range of applications, from prototyping to building complex AI solutions.
Key stats | |
|---|---|
| Python is the most sought-after programming language, with 42% of recruiters looking for candidates with Python skills. | |
| The 2024 RedMonk Programming Language Ranking and Statista place Python in the top 3 programming languages. | |
| 66.4% of beginner developers chose Python as their primary programming language for learning. | |
| Python holds the highest share (29.9%) of all programming language tutorial searches. |
Open vacancies (US, February 2025)
Popularity trends (February 2025)
Top use cases
- Data science & machine learning
- Web development (backend)
- Enterprise application development
- Game development
- Business tasks automation
Apps built with Python
Highest Position (since 2001)
#1 in Feb 2025
Lowest Position (since 2001)
#13 in Feb 2003
Language of the Year
2007, 2010, 2018, 2020, 2021
Scheme title: TIOBE Index for Python
Data source: tiobe.com — The Python Programming Language
JavaScript
JavaScript is a popular web development technology used to create dynamic applications that run seamlessly across browsers and operating systems. The growing demand for interactive single-page applications (SPAs) and JavaScript’s mature ecosystem that supports full-stack development further contribute to the language’s popularity. However, this year, JavaScript is the second most used language, surpassed only by Python.
Key stats | |
|---|---|
| JavaScript leads many programming language rankings. | |
| 41.57% of recruiters seek JavaScript developers, making it the second most demanded programming language. | |
| Ranked third, JavaScript accounts for 7.92% of programming language tutorial searches. | |
| JavaScript tools top the list of the most popular web technologies, with a usage score of 41.6% for React, 40.7% for Node.js, 22.5% for jQuery, and 19.4% for Angular. | |
| JavaScript’s community is growing in line with the overall developer population growth (17% over 12 months). |
Open vacancies (US, February 2025)
Popularity trends (February 2025)
Top use cases
- Web development
- Cross-platform development
Average annual salary (US, February 2025)
Apps built with JavaScript
Highest Position (since 2001)
#6 in Mar 2025
Lowest Position (since 2001)
#12 in Oct 2014
Language of the Year
2014
Scheme title: TIOBE Index for JavaScript
Data source: tiobe.com — The JavaScript Programming Language
Java
One of the oldest and widely used programming languages, Java is known for its versatility, reliability, compatibility with multiple platforms, and built-in security features. As an object-oriented language, it allows developers to create complex applications that can easily scale while maintaining high performance.
Key stats | |
|---|---|
| Java has been in the top 5 in the TIOBE index since 2000. | |
| Java has the second highest share (15.15%) among the language tutorial searches. | |
| The 2024 RedMonk Programming Language Ranking lists Java among the top 3 programming languages. | |
| 30% of professional developers extensively use Java in their work. | |
| Java is the third most sought out programming language (39%) among recruiters. |
Open vacancies (US, February 2025)
Popularity trends (February 2025)
Top use cases
- Desktop app development
- Enterprise software development
- Mobile app development (Android)
- Big data development
- IoT development
Average annual salary (US, February 2025)
Apps built with Java
Highest Position (since 2001)
#1 in Apr 2020
Lowest Position (since 2001)
#4 in Aug 2024
Language of the Year
2005, 2015
Scheme title: TIOBE Index for Java
Data source: tiobe.com — The Java Programming Language
C#
C# is a modern object-oriented programming language created by Microsoft. It seamlessly integrates with the .NET platform, which makes it a top choice for Windows-based app development. Relying on .NET’s vast ecosystem of tools, frameworks, libraries, and services, C# developers can build a wide range of applications that run on multiple platforms.
Key stats | |
|---|---|
| 27.1% of worldwide developers use C#. | |
| C# is in the top 5 in the 2024 RedMonk Programming Language Ranking. | |
| .NET, a developer platform that extensively uses C#, is the most popular platform utilized by 25.2% of professional coders. | |
| The number one programming language in the 2023 TIOBE index, C# has dropped to the 5th position in 2025. | |
| C# is the 4th programming language with the highest demand among recruiters (25%). | |
| 6.13% of developers searched for C# tutorials, which puts it in 5th place by popularity. |
Popularity trends (February 2025)
Top use cases
- Web app development
- Enterprise software development
- Game development (using Unity)
- Cross-platform mobile app development
Average annual salary (US, February 2025)
Apps built with C#
Highest Position (since 2001)
#3 in Mar 2012
Lowest Position (since 2001)
#22 in Sep 2001
Language of the Year
2023
Scheme title: TIOBE Index for C#
Data source: tiobe.com — The C# Programming Language
C++
C++ is an extension of the C programming language most suitable for system programming and embedded software development. Its performance, efficiency, and flexibility make it ideal for building performance-critical and resource-constrained applications.
Key stats | |
|---|---|
| Consistently ranked high in the TIOBE Index, C++ has the second highest rating in 2025 (10.29%). | |
| 9.75% of projects on GitHub are written in C++, securing the 4th position in popularity. | |
| 24% of companies have high demand in C++,making it the 6th most popular programming language. | |
| C++ rounds out the top 5 of the languages most popular with code learners. | |
| C++ accounts for the fourth-largest share (7.19%) of tutorial searches. |
Popularity trends (February 2025)
Top use cases
- System programming
- Game development
- Real-time app development
Average annual salary (US, February 2025)
≈$128,000
$120,000-200,000
Apps built with C++
Highest Position (since 2001)
#2 in Mar 2025
Lowest Position (since 2001)
#5 in Feb 2008
Language of the Year
2003, 2022
Scheme title: TIOBE Index for C++
Data source: tiobe.com — The C++ Programming Language
Go
Go (or Golang) is a statically typed, compiled open-source programming language supported by Google. Its simple syntax, built-in concurrency support, and high performance make it well-suited for building secure and reliable software with high scalability, particularly cloud-native applications. As global demand for cloud computing rises, Golang’s popularity continues to grow.
Key stats | |
|---|---|
| Golang is the third most frequently used programming language, accounting for over 12% of projects on GitHub. | |
| Golang rose up from the 11th position in January 2024 to the 7th position in January 2025. | |
| 18% of developers used Golang in 2024. | |
| 6.3% of companies want to hire Golang developers, making it the 12th most in-demand language. |
Open vacancies (US, February 2025)
Popularity trends (February 2025)
Top use cases
- Web development
- Cloud computing
Average annual salary (US, February 2025)
Apps built with Go
Highest Position (since 2009)
#7 in Mar 2025
Lowest Position (since 2009)
#122 in May 2015
Language of the Year
2009, 2016
Scheme title: TIOBE Index for Go
Data source: tiobe.com — The Go Programming Language
Rust
Rust is a system programming language created by Mozilla. Its memory safety, high performance, and robust security properties make Rust particularly well-suited for performance- and safety-critical applications, which contributes to its wide adoption in areas like telecommunications, industrial automation, and gaming.
Key stats | |
|---|---|
| Rust continues to be the most-admired (83%) and the sixth most-desired (29%) programming language. | |
| Having grown the most over the last 5 years, Rust ranks among the top 10 most-searched programming language tutorials with a 3% share. | |
| 3% of all GitHub projects use Rust, placing it in the top 10 programming languages. |
Open vacancies (US, February 2025)
Popularity trends (February 2025)
Top use cases
- Web development
- Embedded software development
- IoT app development
- System programming
- Blockchain development
- Machine learning
Average annual salary (US, February 2025)
$127,000-215,000
≈$109,000
Apps built with Rust
Highest Position (since 2011)
#13 in Feb 2025
Lowest Position (since 2011)
#211 in Dec 2012
Scheme title: TIOBE Index for Rust
Data source: tiobe.com — The Rust Programming Language
TypeScript
TypeScript is a modern superset of JavaScript developed by Microsoft. With TypeScript’s static typing, developers can catch type-related errors early in the development process, thus producing safe and maintainable code.
Key stats | |
|---|---|
| TypeScript is the second fastest growing language based on the GitHub contributor growth. | |
| Over one third of developers utilize TypeScript, securing the 5th position among the most popular languages. | |
| TypeScript is the 7th most in-demand programming language, with 23.5% of recruiters seeking developers with this knowledge. | |
| Accounting for 2.74% of all programming language tutorial searches, TypeScript ranks among the top 10 most popular languages. |
Open vacancies (US, February 2025)
Top use cases
- Web development
- Cross-platform mobile app development
Average annual salary (US, February 2025)
$80,000-143,000
≈$129,000
Apps built with TypeScript
HTML
Technically not a programming language but a markup language, HTML is nevertheless a fundamental frontend technology for web development. It allows developers to define structures and layouts for web pages and connect them with links so that users can easily navigate between them.
Key stats | |
|---|---|
| More than 96% of websites globally use HTML. | |
| Over half of developers extensively use HTML in combination with CSS in their work. | |
| HTML is the second most popular language among beginner coders with a share of 60%. | |
| The demand from recruiting companies (22%) places HTML in the top 10 most needed coding languages. |
Open vacancies (US, February 2025)
Top use cases
- Web development
Average annual salary (US, February 2025)
Apps using HTML
SQL
SQL is a standard language for storing, extracting, and manipulating data within a relational database. Given that data is often central to the functioning of many applications, SQL plays a vital role in ensuring efficient data management. However, SQL is sometimes viewed as a complementary technology that lacks common programming capabilities typical to general-purpose languages, therefore some rankings leave it off.
Key stats | |
|---|---|
| 54% of professional developers actively work with SQL, making it the second most popular language. | |
| SQL is one of the most highly-desired (37%) and admired (67%) programming languages among programmers. | |
| Almost one in four developers sought by companies is a SQL developer. | |
| SQL has increased its share to 2.41% on the TIOBE index, which makes it one of the 10 most popular languages. |
Popularity trends (February 2025)
+0.95%
TIOBE
Top use cases
- Database management
- Data analysis
- Data-driven app development (in conjunction with other programming languages)
Average annual salary (US, February 2025)
Apps using SQL
Highest Position (since 2001)
#6 in Oct 2003
Lowest Position (since 2001)
#12 in Jan 2021
Scheme title: TIOBE Index for SQL
Data source: tiobe.com — The SQL Programming Language
Ruby
Ruby is a general-purpose programming language with simple, highly readable syntax and robust frameworks that facilitate rapid development and increase coder productivity. Although developers can use Ruby alone for various programming tasks, its most popular application is in conjunction with the Ruby on Rails framework for building web solutions.
Key stats | |
|---|---|
| Ruby is one of the top paying programming languages globally. | |
| 1.87% of all projects on GitHub use Ruby, placing it in the 12th position. | |
| 5.8% of professional developers actively use Ruby in their work. | |
| Ruby is among the 20 most in-demand programming languages with 4.1% of companies looking for Ruby developers. |
Open vacancies (US, February 2025)
2,000+
5,500+
Popularity trends (February 2025)
Top use cases
- Web development
- Data processing
- Task automation
Average annual salary (US, February 2025)
Apps built with Ruby
Highest Position (since 2001)
#8 in May 2016
Lowest Position (since 2001)
#39 in Jan 2002
Language of the Year
2006
Scheme title: TIOBE Index for Ruby
Data source: tiobe.com — The Ruby Programming Language
PHP
PHP is a server-side scripting language used for building websites. It integrates well with HTML and databases, making it easy to generate dynamic content and create web pages enabling real-time interactions.
Key stats | |
|---|---|
| PHP ranks among the top 5 languages in the 2024 RedMonk ranking. | |
| 75% of all websites use PHP to build server-side functionality. | |
| PHP is in the top 10 languages most required by companies. | |
| Around 3.7% of GitHub projects use PHP, securing the 9th position among the most popular languages. | |
| PHP is the 7th most popular language, with 3.72% of tutorial searches. |
Open vacancies (US, February 2025)
Popularity trends (February 2025)
Top use cases
- Web development
- CMS development
Apps built with PHP
Highest Position (since 2001)
#3 in Mar 2010
Lowest Position (since 2001)
#17 in Apr 2024
Language of the Year
2004
Scheme title: TIOBE Index for PHP
Data source: tiobe.com — The PHP Programming Language
Kotlin
Kotlin is the preferred language for Android app development created by JetBrains and now supported by Google. Thanks to its concise syntax, full interoperability with Java, and cross-platform support, Kotlin contributes to faster app development, making it a popular choice among developers.
Key stats | |
|---|---|
| Over 60% of professional Android developers use Kotlin to build apps. | |
| Kotlin is the 11th most sought out programming language by companies. | |
| 6% of companies have high demand for Kotlin developers, putting it in the top 15 languages. | |
| 1.23% of projects on GitHub use Kotlin, securing the 14th place among other languages. | |
| Kotlin ranks 13th in the PYPL Index, with 1.87% of users searching for Kotlin tutorials globally. | |
| 9.9% of professional coders actively use Kotlin in their work, making it the 15th most used language. |
Open vacancies (US, February 2025)
3,000+
1,100+
Top use cases
- Android development
- Multiplatform app development
- Web app development
Average annual salary (US, February 2025)
≈$120,000
≈$127,000
Apps built with Kotlin
Swift
Swift is a modern general-purpose programming language introduced by Apple as a replacement for Objective-C. It has a concise and expressive syntax, built-in safety features, and a collection of dynamic libraries, enabling developers to write clean and maintainable code and build fast, scalable applications.
Key stats | |
|---|---|
| 1.64% of projects on GitHub are written in Swift, placing it in the 13th place among the most used languages. | |
| Swift ranks among the top 10 most popular languages, accounting for 4.63% of all programming language tutorial searches in the US. | |
| Statista ranks Swift among the 15 most demanded coding languages. | |
| 6% of developers used Swift in the last 12 months. | |
| Swift is among the 20 most used programming languages with 4.9% of professional developers working with it. |
Open vacancies (US, February 2025)
2,000+
≈1,000
Popularity trends (February 2025)
Top use cases
- iOS app development
- MacOS app development
Average annual salary (US, February 2025)
Apps built with Swift
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Most popular AI programming languages
To create artificial intelligence solutions, developers typically choose programming languages suitable for specific tasks, such as data handling, algorithm design, and model building. Here’s a rundown of the languages most frequently used for AI development.
Scheme title: Top 5 programming languages used in machine learning/artificial intelligence
Data source: developernation.net — Developer reports
global (n=2 569)
Python
Using Python’s vast ecosystem of libraries and frameworks like TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, and PyTorch, developers can build machine learning algorithms and neural networks. Python also facilitates mathematical calculation and visualization for data scientists and analysts.
JavaScript
Developers can utilize JavaScript to integrate ready-made AI services (e.g., virtual assistants and recommendation engines) into web applications via APIs or implement machine learning models in applications using libraries like TensorFlow.js and Brain.js.
Java
Thanks to its extensive data processing capabilities and a mature collection of AI libraries, Java is a strong choice for developing large-scale AI applications for various applications, including medical imaging analysis, quality control in manufacturing, and financial portfolio analysis.
C++
As a high-performance language with effective memory management, C++ is well-suited for intensive AI computations like computer vision tasks and high-frequency trading. C++’s low-level capabilities allow fast communication between software and hardware components, making it the most popular choice for self-driving car engineering.
Other languages
Depending on project needs, professional developers can also use R, Scala, Lisp, Julia, and Prolog to build AI applications, with each offering unique advantages based on their capabilities, ecosystem, and performance.
Current landscape of programming technologies
Since multiple factors impact the demand for programming languages, we provide additional statistics to give you a comprehensive view of modern programming languages.
Language popularity by users
Scheme title: Size of programming language communities in Q1 2024
Data source: developernation.net — Sizing programming language communities
* including TypeScript/CoffeeScript
Scheme title: Top programming languages on GitHub ranked by count of distinct users contributing to
projects of each language
Data source: github.blog — Octoverse: AI leads Python to top language as the number of global developers surges
Job market stats across languages
Scheme title: Top 8 most demanded programming languages by months in 2024 | From 01 January 2023 to 30
September 2024
Data source: devjobsscanner.com — Top 8 Most Demanded Programming Languages in 2024
Scheme title: Top programming languages 2024 | Jobs
Data source: spectrum.ieee.org — The Top Programming Languages 2024
Programming language rankings
Scheme title: Top programming languages 2024 | Trending
Data source: spectrum.ieee.org — The Top Programming Languages 2024
100%
Scheme title: RedMonk Q3 2024 programming languages rankings
Data source: redmonk.com — The RedMonk Programming Language Rankings: June 2024
Language usage statistics
Scheme title: Top 5 languages most commonly used in repositories created within the last 12 months on
GitHub
Data source: github.blog — Octoverse: AI leads Python to top language as the number of global developers surges
Scheme title: Programming languages used by developers in the last 12 months
Data source: jetbrains.com — The State of Developer Ecosystem Report 2024
Secure your project’s success with the best programming language
With the technology environment constantly evolving, companies should carefully choose a programming language for their future software solution. By understanding the strengths and limitations, as well as popularity trends and applications of each language, companies can find the one that will best align with their business goals and ensure long-term success of their software development initiative. To make the right choice, consider turning to Itransition, a technology provider with 25+ years of experience and well-versed in numerous programming technologies, to help you bring your project to life.
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