UK developers favour JavaScript, eager to learn Python in 2024

Research from Stack Overflow's 2024 Developer Survey has unveiled the programming languages most preferred by developers in the UK, and the languages they are most inclined to use in the forthcoming year.

According to the survey, which gathered responses from 3,224 developers in the UK, JavaScript remains the most widely used language, with 63% of respondents indicating their use of it. HTML/CSS is employed by 54% of developers, SQL by 52%, and Python by 51%, maintaining their positions in the top five most utilised languages for the second consecutive year.

Other languages rounding out the top ten include Bash/Shell (39%), TypeScript (37%), C# (34%), Java (22%), C++ (21%), and PowerShell (18%). The survey also highlighted the least used languages among UK developers, with Nim, Zephyr, Crystal, and Ada each garnering usage rates below 0.5%.

These trends are also echoed on a global scale, where JavaScript (62%) leads the pack, followed by HTML/CSS (53%), Python (51%), and SQL (51%). Similarly, languages such as Zephyr (0.3%), Nim (0.4%), and Crystal (0.4%) see minimal adoption internationally.

When considering the languages developers most aspire to use over the next 12 months, Python emerged as the top choice, with 43% of UK developers expressing their intent to work with it. Although 63% of developers currently use JavaScript, only 40% wish to continue using it in the coming year. SQL (39%), HTML/CSS (37%), and TypeScript (34%) also feature prominently alongside JavaScript in the list of desired languages.

Interestingly, the survey results show a difference in the eagerness to explore new languages between new learners and professional developers. Globally, those new to coding are interested in trying 12 different languages on average next year, while professional developers are looking to explore about eight.

The experience levels revealed another point of interest. UK developers reported the highest average number of years of coding experience at 18 years, compared to 17 years for US developers, 16 years for Canadian developers, and 8 years for developers in India.

The full results of the developer language survey, including both global and UK-specific data, are available for further review.