Which Programming Language Is In Demand In 2024? (2024)

Whether you’re just starting your career in technology, looking to upskill, or considering a career switch, up-to-date information will be the best tool in your utility belt.

Knowing which languages are in demand can guide your learning path and enhance your employability. Why do I think so?

I started noticing a pattern after starting Codeop – a tech-learning haven for women+. Most of us tend to go for the most popular languages. It is a fine strategy but without guidance, you could end up with a stack with incompatible languages.

It’s not uncommon to see individuals jumping from Python to Node.js or vice versa. While both are excellent languages, they serve vastly different purposes.

To help you navigate this, I did some research and compiled a list of the most popular languages in 2024, grouped by their relevant categories.

Top Programming Languages in Demand for 2024

A. General-Purpose Programming Languages

1. Python

Python is known for its simplicity and readability, making it an excellent language for beginners and professionals. Its syntax is clear and straightforward, so you’ll be developing programs quickly.

Industry Applications: The amount of stuff you could do with Python is beyond this article’s scope. You can practically do EVERYTHING with this programming language, from data science and machine learning to home automation.

You could even do web development using Python frameworks such as Django and Flask are highly regarded. Then there’s MKDocs, which is just a game changer.

Whether you’re looking to work in data analysis, web development, AI, or backend development, Python offers numerous opportunities.

Community and Ecosystem: Python boasts one of the largest and most active programming communities. Extensive libraries, frameworks, and tools are available to simplify and accelerate development.

2. Java

Java is a programming veteran known for its reliability, performance, and cross-platform capabilities. It has been a staple in the software industry for decades, used by millions of developers worldwide.

Industries and Applications: Java is ubiquitous in enterprise applications, Android app development, and large-scale systems. It’s the backbone of many financial services, e-commerce platforms, and big data technologies like Hadoop.

Community and Ecosystem: Java’s mature ecosystem includes many libraries and frameworks, such as Spring and Hibernate, which support everything from web development to microservices.

3. C#

Developed by Microsoft and pronounced as “C sharp,” it is a versatile language used primarily for developing Windows applications. It has gained significant traction in game development, particularly with the Unity engine and enterprise software solutions.

Industries and Applications: C# is prevalent in game development, thanks to Unity, which powers a large portion of the gaming industry. It’s also used in developing desktop applications, web services, and enterprise software.

Community and Ecosystem: C# has an extensive .NET ecosystem, which includes powerful frameworks like ASP.NET for web development and Xamarin for mobile app development.

4. Go (Golang)

Created by Google, Go is known for its simplicity, efficiency, and strong performance. It was designed to address the shortcomings of other languages in concurrent programming, thus making it an excellent choice for modern environments.

Industries and Applications: Go is popular in cloud services, DevOps tools, and microservices architectures. The demand for Go developers is rising, especially in tech companies focused on cloud computing and infrastructure.

Community and Ecosystem: Go has a growing community and increasing library support.

B. Web Development Languages

1. JavaScript

JavaScript is the cornerstone of web development. It is how we create dynamic and interactive user experiences. JS is the only language that can run natively in the browser, making it essential for front-end development.

Thanks to Node.js, JavaScript has also become a powerful tool for back-end development, allowing you to use a single language across the entire stack.

Pro Advice: Learn some design as well. Many web developers know the code but end up making subpar websites. Why? Because they rely on their customers 100% on the vision and design.

Industries and Applications: JavaScript is used across numerous industries for web development, mobile app development (with frameworks like React Native), and game development. JavaScript is everywhere, from e-commerce platforms and social media sites to enterprise applications and interactive dashboards.

Community and Ecosystem: Countless libraries and frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue make development faster and more efficient.

2. TypeScript

TypeScript is a superset of JavaScript that adds static typing to the language. Developed by Microsoft, TypeScript enhances JavaScript by making code more predictable and easier to debug.

It is especially popular for large-scale applications where maintainability and scalability are crucial.

Industries and Applications: TypeScript is widely used in web development, particularly in projects that require complex and large-scale codebases.

The demand for TypeScript developers is a niche, but so is the availability of developers. Developers with TypeScript skills are sought after for roles that involve building robust and scalable web applications.

Community and Ecosystem: TypeScript has strong support from Microsoft and a growing community of developers. It integrates seamlessly with popular JavaScript frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue and is supported by various tools and libraries.

C. Mobile Development Languages

1. Kotlin

Kotlin is the official language for Android development, introduced by JetBrains and later adopted by Google as the preferred language for Android apps. It is designed to be fully interoperable with Java, so you can leverage all existing Java libraries and frameworks while offering modern features.

Industries and Applications: While primarily used for Android mobile development, Kotlin is also gaining traction in web and server-side applications.

Community and Ecosystem: Kotlin’s interoperability with Java makes it easy for Java developers to transition to Kotlin, contributing to a growing community. The Kotlin community is vibrant and active, providing numerous resources for learning and development.

2. Swift

Swift is Apple’s preferred language for iOS and macOS development, introduced in 2014 as a replacement for Objective-C. It is designed to be safe, fast, and expressive, making it an ideal choice for Apple devices.

Industries and Applications: Swift is used primarily for mobile development on Apple platforms, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.

Community and Ecosystem: Swift benefits from strong support from Apple, ensuring continuous updates and improvements. The Swift community is extensive, with numerous tutorials, forums, and conferences dedicated to the language.

D. Systems Programming Languages

1. Rust

Rust is known for its focus on safety, performance, and concurrency. Mozilla developed it to address the memory safety issues prevalent in languages like C and C++.

Rust’s unique ownership model ensures memory safety without needing a garbage collector, making it an attractive choice for system-level programming.

Industries and Applications: It is widely used in systems programming, embedded systems, and web assembly. The demand for Rust developers is rising, particularly in industries focused on performance and safety-critical applications.

Community and Ecosystem: The language is supported by a rich ecosystem of libraries and tools, such as Cargo (the Rust package manager), which streamline the development process.

E. Emerging Languages to Watch

1. Dart

Dart, developed by Google, is primarily known for its use in building Flutter applications. Flutter is a popular UI toolkit for building natively compiled mobile, web, and desktop applications from a single codebase.

Industries and Applications: Dart is used in mobile, web, and desktop applications. Its primary strength lies in its ability to create highly performant and visually appealing applications using Flutter.

Community and Ecosystem: Dart has strong support from Google, which ensures continuous updates and improvements.

2. Julia

Julia is a high-performance programming language for technical and scientific computing. It combines the ease of use of Python with the speed of C, making it ideal for tasks that require intensive numerical computations.

Industries and Applications: It is particularly well-suited for applications in physics, engineering, and finance, where complex mathematical computations are essential.

Community and Ecosystem: Julia has a growing community of developers and researchers dedicated to advancing the language.

Tips for choosing the right programming language for your career goals.

Here are some steps you can take:

1. Look at job portals like Dice, Hired, and Tech Ladies, industry reports, and technology surveys to identify the programming languages and skills in high demand. Pay attention to the number of job postings, the specific languages mentioned, and the industries actively hiring developers.
2. Keep an eye on emerging technologies and their associated programming languages. Industries such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, and data science often drive demand for specific languages.
3. Analyse Industry-specific requirements. Different industries have unique requirements when it comes to programming languages. For example, finance and fintech companies may prioritize languages like Java or C++ for their performance and security features.
4. Engage with developer communities, forums, and social media platforms where developers discuss trends, share insights, and ask questions. Participating in these communities can provide valuable information about which languages are gaining popularity, what projects are in demand, and which industries are growing.
5. Attend industry conferences, meetups, and workshops to network with professionals. Engaging with industry experts can help you understand programming languages’ current and future demands.
6. Additionally, attending talks and presentations on emerging technologies can give you insights into the languages and skills that are likely to be in demand.
7. Connect with professionals in your desired industry or field of interest. Seek out mentors or colleagues who can provide guidance on current trends, industry-specific demands, and emerging technologies.