Kotlin, Swift, and Ruby, once stalwarts of the top 20 in the Tiobe programming language popularity index, have slipped from their positions, according to the latest release of the index. The three languages, which were previously stable in the top 20, have lost traction and are now ranked 24th, 25th, and 26th, respectively.

Tiobe CEO Paul Jansen attributes the decline to the languages' limited scope, with Kotlin mainly used for Android development and Swift for iOS. The rise of cross-platform development frameworks has reduced the need for language-specific platforms, making Kotlin and Swift less appealing to developers. Jansen also notes that Python's growing popularity has left little room for Ruby, which was once a popular choice for web development.

The Tiobe index, which gauges programming language popularity by assessing the number of skilled engineers, courses, and third-party vendors, has seen a significant shift in the past month. The top 20 languages now cover 83.56% of the total market, a notable increase from the usual 75%. This consolidation, according to Jansen, indicates a defensive market that prefers proven technologies over new ones.

The Tiobe index top 10 languages for April 2025 are dominated by established players, with Python leading the pack at 23.08%, followed by C++, C, Java, and C#. The alternative Pypl Popularity of Programming Language Index, which assesses language popularity based on Google search trends, also shows Python in the lead, with a share of 30.27%. Java, JavaScript, and C/C++ round out the top 5 in the Pypl index.

The decline of Kotlin, Swift, and Ruby may not be a cause for concern, as it reflects the natural evolution of the programming language landscape. As new technologies emerge and existing ones improve, developers' preferences shift, and languages must adapt to remain relevant. The rise of cross-platform development and the growing popularity of Python are likely to continue shaping the programming language landscape in the coming months.

The implications of this shift are far-reaching, with potential consequences for the development of mobile and web applications. As developers turn to more versatile languages and frameworks, the demand for language-specific skills may decrease, leading to a shift in the job market. However, the increased focus on cross-platform development also presents opportunities for innovation and growth.

In conclusion, the decline of Kotlin, Swift, and Ruby in the Tiobe index is a reflection of the dynamic nature of the programming language landscape. As the market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these languages adapt and whether they can regain their former popularity.