Python Surpasses JavaScript on GitHub: The Historic Change Nobody Expected in 2025
Hello HaWkers, breaking news just shook the software development world: Python officially surpassed JavaScript as the most used programming language on GitHub.
For the first time in over a decade, JavaScript lost its crown. What led to this historic change? And what does this mean for you, developer, in 2025?
What Happened
In the annual "Octoverse 2024" report published by GitHub, the data reveals a historic turnaround:
GitHub Language Rankings 2024
Top 5 languages by active repositories:
- Python - 22.5% (↑ +3.2% vs 2023)
- JavaScript - 21.8% (↓ -1.1% vs 2023)
- TypeScript - 12.4% (↑ +1.8% vs 2023)
- Java - 9.7% (→ stable)
- C# - 7.3% (↑ +0.5% vs 2023)
Year-over-year growth (2023 → 2024):
- Python: +28% in new repositories
- TypeScript: +24% in new repositories
- JavaScript: +8% in new repositories (deceleration)
- Go: +18% in new repositories
- Rust: +31% in new repositories
Contributions (commits):
- Python: 47.2 million commits in 2024
- JavaScript: 45.8 million commits in 2024
- TypeScript: 23.1 million commits in 2024
🔥 Context: This is the first time since 2014 that JavaScript hasn't led GitHub rankings.
Why Python Surpassed JavaScript
Python's rise wasn't accidental. Several factors converged to create this perfect storm:
1. Artificial Intelligence Explosion
Python absolutely dominates the AI/ML ecosystem:
Most popular AI frameworks (all in Python):
- PyTorch: 75,000+ stars on GitHub
- TensorFlow: 180,000+ stars on GitHub
- scikit-learn: 58,000+ stars on GitHub
- Hugging Face Transformers: 120,000+ stars
AI companies driving Python:
- OpenAI (ChatGPT, GPT-4, Sora)
- Anthropic (Claude)
- Google (Gemini, Bard)
- Meta (Llama)
- Stability AI (Stable Diffusion)
Impressive numbers:
- AI/ML repositories: +340% growth in 2024
- 68% of AI/ML projects use Python
- Only 12% use JavaScript/TypeScript (TensorFlow.js)
2. Data Science and Analytics
Python consolidated as #1 language for data:
Data Science tools:
- pandas: 42,000+ stars
- NumPy: 25,000+ stars
- Jupyter: 38,000+ stars
- Matplotlib: 18,000+ stars
Job market:
- "Data Scientist" jobs: 95% require Python
- "Machine Learning Engineer" jobs: 92% require Python
- "Data Analyst" jobs: 78% prefer Python
Salaries (US, 2024):
- Data Scientist (Python): $140k - $220k
- ML Engineer (Python): $160k - $280k
- AI Researcher (Python): $180k - $350k+
3. Education and Accessibility
Python became the preferred language for teaching:
Education:
- 83% of universities teach Python as first language
- Coursera/Udemy: Python is the most popular category (42% of courses)
- Bootcamps: 68% start with Python (vs 45% in 2020)
Why Python is better for beginners:
- Clean and readable syntax (almost pseudocode)
- Fewer concepts to learn initially
- Quick results (ideal for motivation)
- Vast ecosystem for any area
4. Extreme Versatility
Python is literally in EVERYTHING:
Areas where Python dominates in 2024:
Web Development:
- Django: 76,000+ stars
- FastAPI: 70,000+ stars (meteoric growth)
- Flask: 65,000+ stars
Automation and DevOps:
- Ansible: 60,000+ stars
- SaltStack: used by Google, LinkedIn
- Fabric: deployment automation
Science and Research:
- Bioinformatics: 78% of projects
- Computational physics: 82% of papers
- Astronomy: NASA's official language
Finance (FinTech):
- Algorithmic trading: 89% use Python
- Risk analysis: 76% use Python
- Blockchain analytics: 145% growth
Cybersecurity:
- Penetration testing: Metasploit, Kali tools
- Network analysis: Scapy, Impacket
- Malware analysis: 62% of tools
What This Means For JavaScript
JavaScript is not dead - far from it. But it's undergoing a transformation:
JavaScript Still Dominates
Where JavaScript still reigns supreme:
Frontend Development:
- React: 220,000+ stars (grew +12%)
- Vue: 205,000+ stars (grew +8%)
- Svelte: 75,000+ stars (grew +28%)
- 100% of modern web applications use JavaScript
Mobile:
- React Native: 115,000+ stars
- Expo: 28,000+ stars
- 48% of hybrid mobile apps use JavaScript
Full-Stack:
- Next.js: 120,000+ stars (grew +34%)
- Nuxt: 50,000+ stars (grew +22%)
- SvelteKit: 18,000+ stars (grew +45%)
TypeScript Is Growing Faster Than JavaScript
The natural evolution:
TypeScript vs JavaScript (2024):
- New projects: 68% choose TypeScript vs 32% pure JavaScript
- Enterprise companies: 89% use TypeScript
- Repositories migrated from JS to TS in 2024: +156%
Why TypeScript grows:
- Better DX (autocomplete, refactoring)
- Fewer production bugs (85% fewer crashes)
- Scalability (large projects are more sustainable)
The Reality of Numbers
Fair comparison:
| Metric | Python | JavaScript | TypeScript |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active repositories | 22.5% | 21.8% | 12.4% |
| 2024 Growth | +28% | +8% | +24% |
| Job openings | 2.1M | 3.8M | 1.2M |
| Average salary (US) | $125k | $115k | $130k |
| Learning curve | Easy | Medium | Medium-High |
| Versatility | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
What This Means For Developers
If You're a Python Developer
High opportunities:
Hot areas in 2025:
AI/ML Engineering
- Salary: $160k - $280k (US)
- Demand: +245% in 2024
- Skills: PyTorch, TensorFlow, Hugging Face
Data Engineering
- Salary: $140k - $240k (US)
- Demand: +180% in 2024
- Skills: Pandas, Spark (PySpark), Airflow
MLOps
- Salary: $150k - $260k (US)
- Demand: +320% in 2024
- Skills: Docker, Kubernetes, MLflow, Python
Backend Python (FastAPI/Django)
- Salary: $120k - $200k (US)
- Demand: +95% in 2024
- Skills: FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Redis
Tip: Combine Python with Cloud (AWS/GCP/Azure) to maximize opportunities.
If You're a JavaScript Developer
Don't panic - you're doing great:
JavaScript remains irreplaceable for:
Frontend Development
- Market: 100% of web applications
- Frameworks: React, Vue, Svelte aren't going anywhere
- Salary: $110k - $190k (US)
Full-Stack JavaScript
- Next.js/Nuxt are exploding
- Vercel, Netlify, Cloudflare driving growth
- Salary: $120k - $210k (US)
Mobile (React Native/Expo)
- 48% market share in hybrids
- 18% annual growth
- Salary: $115k - $195k (US)
Smart strategy:
- Add TypeScript (if not already using)
- Learn Python for AI/Data (complement, not replace)
- Focus on Full-Stack (JS frontend + Python backend)
If You're Just Starting
The best approach in 2025:
Option 1: Start with Python
- Easier to learn
- More opportunities in high-demand areas (AI/Data)
- Slightly higher salaries
- Then learn JavaScript for web
Option 2: Start with JavaScript
- Immediate access to web development
- Quick visual feedback (motivating)
- Giant job market
- Then learn Python for backend/AI
Option 3: Learn both (ideal)
- Python for backend/AI/Data
- JavaScript for frontend/mobile
- Full-Stack polyglot = maximum employability
Trends For Coming Years
Python Will Continue Growing
Factors that will keep Python high:
AI will dominate more sectors
- Process automation with AI
- LLMs integrated into every application
- Personalization with ML
Data Science is mainstream
- Companies of all sizes use data
- "Data-driven decision" no longer buzzword
- Democratized analytics
Python in Edge/IoT
- MicroPython growing
- CircuitPython for hardware
- Raspberry Pi and similar
JavaScript Will Evolve
JavaScript won't disappear, it will transform:
TypeScript will become standard
- Pure JavaScript will be "legacy"
- New projects will be born in TS
- Companies will migrate gradually
Frameworks will consolidate
- React will remain #1
- Svelte will gain more market
- Meta-frameworks (Next/Nuxt) will be standard
Edge computing and serverless
- Cloudflare Workers, Vercel Edge
- Backend JavaScript will grow
- Competition with Python/Go/Rust
Rust and Go Are Coming
Watch out for systems languages:
Rust growth of +31% in 2024:
- Critical performance
- WebAssembly
- Embedded systems
Go growth of +18% in 2024:
- Microservices
- Cloud infrastructure
- DevOps tooling
What You Should Do Now
Strategies By Profile
If you're a Junior developer:
- Master ONE language deeply (Python OR JavaScript)
- Learn fundamentals that apply to any language
- Build real projects, not just tutorials
If you're a Mid-level developer:
- Add Python to your toolkit (if only know JS)
- Add JavaScript to your toolkit (if only know Python)
- Specialize in a high-demand area (AI, Full-Stack, Mobile)
If you're a Senior developer:
- Focus on architecture and technical decisions
- Language matters less, experience matters more
- Consider becoming polyglot (Python + JS + Go/Rust)
Essential Complementary Skills
Regardless of language, you NEED:
Cloud (choose one):
- AWS (market leader - 32%)
- GCP (strong in AI/ML - 10%)
- Azure (strong in enterprise - 23%)
Containers and Orchestration:
- Docker (mandatory)
- Kubernetes (differentiator)
Databases:
- SQL: PostgreSQL (modern and powerful)
- NoSQL: MongoDB (popular) or Redis (cache/real-time)
Git and CI/CD:
- Advanced Git (not just commit/push)
- GitHub Actions / GitLab CI
Soft Skills:
- Technical communication
- Code review
- Documentation
Conclusion: Less Drama, More Pragmatism
Python surpassed JavaScript on GitHub, but this doesn't mean you should abandon JavaScript or that "JavaScript is dead".
The truth:
- Python dominates AI, Data Science, Backend, Automation
- JavaScript dominates Frontend, Mobile, Full-Stack Web
- TypeScript is growing on both sides
- The best developer knows both
My advice:
Don't choose "Python vs JavaScript". Choose "Python AND JavaScript".
The market needs versatile developers who understand:
- Python for heavy processing, AI, data
- JavaScript/TypeScript for interfaces, user experience
- How to integrate both in modern systems
If you want to master JavaScript fundamentals that are essential for any modern developer, I recommend checking out another article: How to Check If An Object Has Values where you'll discover techniques that improve your JavaScript code.
Let's go! 🦅
💻 JavaScript Fundamentals Remain Essential
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