JavaScript remains essential for web development but faces competition from Rust and Key Insights:
The programming landscape is evolving at a brisk pace, with Python solidifying its dominance. Its TIOBE rating now exceeds 26%, while rising stars like Rust and Go are making waves in the rankings. These shifts are reshaping how the industry approaches development. One standout moment: Python has overtaken JavaScript on GitHub after a decade of JavaScript's reign, with Python contributions growing by an impressive 22.5% year-over-year. The top programming languages show a mix of consistency and shifts. Python remains firmly at the top across multiple rankings. C++ has climbed to a notable position, holding an 11.37% share with a modest +0.84% increase from the previous year. This reflects a renewed interest in performance-oriented programming, particularly for systems and game development. Java continues to hold a strong position in enterprise applications, ranking #3 or #4 in most indices. With an 8.35% market share in the September 2025 TIOBE Index, Java's extensive ecosystem and reliability keep it a cornerstone for enterprise software and Android development. JavaScript, while critical for web development, has seen some ranking fluctuations. For instance, the IEEE Spectrum's 2025 ranking dropped JavaScript from 3rd place in 2024 to 6th place. That said, it still powers 98% of all websites and remains the most widely used language, with 62% of developers relying on it. TypeScript is steadily gaining traction, now used by 69% of developers for larger projects. Its rise highlights the growing demand for scalable and maintainable web applications, where features like type safety significantly enhance code quality. Here's a snapshot of the latest rankings, market shares, and year-over-year changes: Language TIOBE Sep 2025 Rank Market Share Year-over-Year Change Python 1 25.98% +8.72% C++ 2 8.80% +0.84% C 3 8.65% -1.14% Java 4 8.35% +1.79% C# 5 6.38% -3.41% JavaScript 6 3.22% +0.61% These trends set the stage for further analysis of languages that are either on the rise or losing steam. Rust has become a standout, earning widespread admiration for its memory safety and performance. With 72% developer approval, it has climbed from #13 in 2024 to #7 in August 2025. Rust's appeal lies in its suitability for systems programming and security-critical applications. Go (Golang) is also making an impact, leaping from 13th place in January 2024 to 7th place in January 2025. Its efficient concurrency model and suitability for microservices have made it a favorite in cloud-native development. C#, however, has seen a notable decline. It fell from the top spot in the 2023 TIOBE Index to #5 in 2025, with a –3.41% rating change. This drop may reflect a shift away from Windows-centric development and increased competition from Python, Java, and JavaScript in enterprise environments. Languages like Visual Basic and PHP are losing ground. Visual Basic remains in use for legacy systems but is rarely chosen for new projects. PHP, while still powering 75.6% of all websites for server-side programming, faces growing competition from modern alternatives and has experienced a –0.8% global trend. Interestingly, Perl has made an unexpected leap, jumping from 27th to 10th place in the September 2025 TIOBE Index - a remarkable 17-position climb. These shifts highlight broader industry movements: Python's surge driven by AI, the rise of cloud-native development boosting Go and Rust, and the gradual phasing out of older technologies in favor of more secure and efficient options. For developers and businesses, these trends offer valuable insight into which skills and tools will be most in demand in the years ahead. Up next, we dive deeper into language comparisons and explore their real-world applications. Understanding programming language trends is essential for developers and tech marketers to make smart decisions. Gathering reliable data is the backbone of identifying these trends, which play a big role in shaping developer marketing strategies. Let’s dive into the methods behind these insights. To create credible rankings, data is pulled from a variety of trusted platforms. IEEE Spectrum, for example, uses an approach that blends metrics from multiple sources. Stephen Cass, their Special Projects Editor, explains: "We merge metrics from multiple sources to create our rankings. The metrics we choose publicly signal interest across a wide range of languages - Google search traffic, questions asked on Stack Exchange, mentions in research papers, activity on the GitHub
Another key resource is the
For a language to qualify for TIOBE rankings, it must meet specific criteria: being Turing complete, having a Wikipedia entry, and generating over 5,000 Google search results for '+ programming' . Research Scope
The focus of this research is on active usage and adoption trends among developers in the United States and globally in 2025. It examines languages currently used in production environments and tracks shifts in popularity. To identify trends, the study analyzes year-over-year (YoY) and month-over-month (MoM) changes in rankings and usage. For instance, Python led the TIOBE Index in June 2025 with a 25.87% share, reflecting a more than 10% month-over-month increase. Developer sentiment also plays a major role. The contrast between languages developers admire and those they plan to use can signal emerging trends. A great example is Rust, where 82.2% of developers admire the language, and 83% of current users plan to keep using it . However, tracking these trends isn’t without its challenges. The rise of AI assistants has impacted traditional data sources. Stephen Cass from IEEE Spectrum highlights this shift: "Programmers are turning away from many of these public expressions of interest. Rather than page through a book or search a website like Stack Exchange for answers to their questions, they'll chat with an LLM like Claude or ChatGPT in a private conversation." This change has led to a sharp decline in traditional metrics like Stack Exchange activity. In 2025, the number of weekly questions posted about evaluated languages on IEEE Spectrum’s list dropped to just 22% of 2024 levels. On the flip side, metrics like JavaScript package consumption in the npm ecosystem show growth, with a 15% YoY increase . Combined with job market data from employment platforms, these insights paint a detailed picture of the evolving programming landscape. By 2025, Language Comparison Chart
The performance of top programming languages highlights clear trends in growth and challenges. Python's meteoric rise is evident with a +5.81% year-over-year increase, while some older languages see a slight dip in popularity. Language Sep 2025 Rank Ratings YoY Change Strengths Challenges Python 1 25.98% +5.81% AI/ML focus, rich libraries, ease of use Slower performance in production C++ 2 8.80% -1.94% High efficiency, gaming, system programming Complex syntax, steep learning curve C 3 8.65% -0.24% Low-level control, embedded systems Lacks modern features Java 4 8.35% -1.09% Enterprise reliability, platform independence Verbose syntax, slower evolution C# 5 6.38% +0.30% Strong .NET integration, Unity development Windows-centric, rising competition JavaScript 6 3.22% -0.70% Web development backbone, full-stack use Type safety concerns, rapid framework changes According to Stack Overflow's 2025 survey, Python's growth has been extraordinary, with a 7 percentage point increase in adoption: "After more than a decade of steady growth, Python's adoption has accelerated significantly. It saw a 7 percentage point increase from 2024 to 2025". Although Rust only commands a modest 1.01% market share and ranks 18th, its 72% developer approval rating hints at immense potential. This enthusiasm signals future growth as developers increasingly turn to Rust and Go for high-performance programming needs. These figures lay the groundwork for evaluating how each language impacts the tech industry. The numbers tell part of the story, but understanding how these languages are applied in real-world scenarios reveals their true value. From AI to cloud-native systems, each language has carved out a niche. Python continues to lead the charge in AI and data science, with frameworks like Docker is reshaping language choices, with a 17-point jump in usage making it nearly indispensable for developers. This surge in containerization has influenced how applications are designed and deployed, further emphasizing the importance of language ecosystems. Developer tools also play a critical role in shaping adoption. industry trends like AI and cloud computing. These factors will continue to shape the future of programming. The tech world is seeing a clear shift as developers embrace newer programming languages and move away from older ones. This change is driven by the evolving demands of the industry, like cloud-native architectures, improved performance, and tighter security. Let’s dive into which languages are thriving and which are fading. Rust continues to shine, boasting an impressive 83% favorability rating for nine straight years. By February 2025, it climbed to #13 on the TIOBE Index, its highest rank yet, and is now used by over 2.26 million developers. GitHub’s 2024 report highlighted a 40% year-over-year increase in Rust adoption, with 38% of developers using it as their primary language - up from 34% the previous year - and 45% of organizations employing it for complex tasks. Big names like Figma and
Go is also making waves, reaching the 7th spot on the TIOBE Index, its best ranking since 2009. With 5.8 million developers using it, Go is favored by 13.5% globally and 14.4% of professionals. An overwhelming 92% of Go users report positive experiences, and 93% express overall satisfaction with the language. The practical value of Go is evident in its real-world applications. Dropbox, and American Express have also built key systems - ranging from video processing to payment platforms - using Go. "What makes Go unique in the top 10 is that Go programs are fast and easy to deploy while the language is easy to learn." – Paul Jansen, CEO of TIOBE Software TypeScript continues to gain traction, with 85% of Node.js developers preferring it for business projects to address JavaScript’s type safety concerns. These examples highlight how modern languages are meeting the demand for cloud-native, high-performance solutions. While some languages rise to the occasion, others are struggling to keep up. PHP has seen a sharp decline, with usage dropping 19% in 2024, according to O’Reilly’s platform data. While PHP still powers platforms like
Other languages are also falling out of favor. Objective-C, Visual Basic (VB.NET), and Perl have been overshadowed by modern options like Swift, C#, Python, and
The decline of these languages stems from outdated syntax, limited modern support, and a lack of innovation. Companies are increasingly turning to languages that offer better developer experiences, robust ecosystems, and compatibility with modern architectural trends like cloud-native development and microservices. For developers, this shift brings both challenges and opportunities. Those working with declining languages may need to learn newer ones to stay competitive, while experts in legacy systems could find lucrative roles maintaining essential infrastructure. On a broader scale, the move toward modern languages promises improved security, performance, and productivity, but it also requires careful planning to manage the transition from older technologies. Let’s take a closer look at how shifts in programming language trends are shaping developer marketing strategies. Staying updated on these trends isn’t just about keeping up with technology - it’s about building meaningful connections with developers. The growing popularity of languages like Rust, Go, and TypeScript offers businesses a chance to craft messages that resonate with specific developer communities. Developers are discerning when it comes to marketing content. They value technical depth over generic pitches. As Ceci Stallsmith insightfully noted: "The tools developers choose and use become part of their identity." - Ceci Stallsmith This means that targeting developers based on their preferred programming languages isn’t just another form of demographic segmentation. It’s about engaging with them through the tools and technologies they rely on daily. Campaign Optimization with Current Data
Platforms like
Video content showcasing practical implementations is another strong approach, with YouTube remaining a popular platform for developers seeking hands-on insights. Timing campaigns around emerging interests - like the increasing curiosity in Rust and Go - can help establish your brand early in these spaces. Additionally, tapping into developers’ learning aspirations can open new doors. Many Python developers, for example, are eager to explore Rust and Go, while those working on major cloud platforms are showing interest in Docker. Combining these insights allows for precise targeting, such as focusing on “Senior Python developers interested in AI/ML tools” or “JavaScript developers exploring TypeScript.” This level of specificity reduces wasted impressions and boosts engagement. In the end, successful developer marketing hinges on authenticity, technical expertise, and offering real value. Language-based targeting provides a practical framework to connect with developers, as highlighted by this observation: "No one looks 'lame' using Cursor right now. No one gets in trouble for setting up Stripe." - Ceci and Paige, Calyx As we've explored, keeping an eye on language trends plays a crucial role in shaping strategies for technology and marketing. The data from 2025 highlights patterns that developers, marketers, and organizations can use to maintain an edge in the fast-evolving tech world. The 2025 programming landscape offers several insights to guide future approaches: Emerging languages are also gaining traction. For example, Go has climbed to 7th place in the TIOBE Index, up from 13th just a year ago. With over 90% developer satisfaction and adoption by companies like Google, Uber, and Dropbox, Go presents a strong opportunity for skill-building and focused marketing efforts. The rise of containerization is another trend reshaping the developer ecosystem. Docker usage surged by 17 percentage points, influencing hiring priorities, tool preferences, and the skills developers need to stay relevant. AI-assisted tools are becoming a game-changer. A staggering 92% of developers using these tools report faster development times, and 88% note increased productivity. The growing popularity of frameworks like FastAPI - up by 5 points - reflects a shift toward Python-powered APIs optimized for AI and machine learning applications. Market dynamics also paint an evolving picture. TypeScript is seeing broader enterprise adoption, thanks to features like enhanced variable initialization checks and ECMAScript 2024 support in its 5.7 version. Meanwhile, C# usage is declining as development moves away from Windows-centric environments. These trends highlight the need for ongoing adaptability and targeted strategies.
Key Findings and Summary
Top Programming Languages Overview
Rising and Declining Languages
Research Methods and Data Sources
Data Sources and Analysis Methods
Top Programming Languages in 2025: Complete Analysis
Use Cases and Industry Applications
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Rising and Declining Languages in 2025
Languages Growing in Popularity
Languages Losing Ground
Impact on Developer Marketing and Advertising
Language-Based Targeting Strategies
Conclusion: Using Language Trends for Success
Key Takeaways
Staying Current with Developer Trends
Programming Language Trends in 2025: What Developers Are Using Now
Alex Carter 22 min read
Table of Contents
- Top 10 Programming Languages to Learn in 2025 (Ranked & Explained!)
- Key Findings and Summary
- Research Methods and Data Sources
- Top Programming Languages in 2025: Complete Analysis
- Rising and Declining Languages in 2025
- Impact on Developer Marketing and Advertising
- Conclusion: Using Language Trends for Success
- FAQs
- Related Blog Posts
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