TIOBE Index for August 2026: Top 10 Most Popular Programming Languages

Rust held onto its place in the TIOBE Index top 10 in August 2026 after entering the ranking for the first time in July. The systems programming language remained at No. 10, while its rating rose from 1.34% in July to 1.45% in August.

Python remained No. 1 at 18.53%, followed by C, C++, Java, C#, and JavaScript. The order of the top 10 did not change from July, while MATLAB dropped out of the top 20 for the first time in more than a decade.

Top 10 programming languages in August 2026

According to the TIOBE Programming Community Index, the following are the top 10 programming languages in August 2026.

1. Python: A general-purpose, high-level language used across web development, data science, machine learning, and automation. Python remains firmly in the No. 1 position.

2. C: A foundational procedural language used in operating systems, embedded systems, and systems programming. C remains No. 2 in August.

3. C++: An extension of C used in embedded systems, game development, and financial trading software. C++ remains No. 3.

4. Java: A platform-independent, object-oriented language used for enterprise applications, Android development, and large-scale back-end systems.

5. C#: A Microsoft-developed, object-oriented language used for Windows application development, game development via Unity, and enterprise software on the .NET platform.

6. JavaScript: The primary language of the web, running natively in browsers and, via Node.js, on the server side.

7. Visual Basic: A Microsoft event-driven language for building Windows applications.

8. SQL: Structured Query Language is the standard language for managing and querying relational databases.

9. R: A language and environment for statistical computing and graphics, used heavily in academia, research, and fields such as epidemiology and biostatistics.

10. Rust: A systems programming language focused on memory safety and performance without garbage collection. Rust remains in the top 10 after entering it for the first time in July.

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Notable movements in the TIOBE Index, August 2026 top 10

The top 10 held the same positions from July to August. Rust remained No. 10, with its rating rising from 1.34% to 1.45% after entering the top 10 for the first time in July.

Python stayed No. 1 despite slipping from 18.94% to 18.53%. C rose from 10.86% to 11.10%, while C++ fell from 9.12% to 8.62%.

Outside the top 10, MATLAB fell to No. 25, dropping out of the top 20 for the first time in more than a decade. TIOBE CEO Paul Jansen attributed the decline partly to MATLAB’s paid licensing model and slower evolution compared with languages such as Python, C++, and Rust.

Top 10 programming languages in July 2026

1. Python
2. C
3. C++
4. Java
5. C#
6. JavaScript
7. Visual Basic
8. SQL
9. R
10. Rust

Top 10 programming languages in June 2026

1. Python
2. C
3. C++
4. Java
5. C#
6. JavaScript
7. Visual Basic
8. SQL
9. R
10. Delphi/Object Pascal

Top 10 programming languages in May 2026

1. Python
2. C
3. Java
4. C++
5. C#
6. JavaScript
7. Visual Basic
8. R
9. SQL
10. Delphi/Object Pascal

Top 10 programming languages in April 2026

1. Python
2. C
3. C++
4. Java
5. C#
6. JavaScript
7. Visual Basic
8. SQL
9. R
10. Delphi/Object Pascal

Top 10 programming languages in March 2026

1. Python
2. C
3. C++
4. Java
5. C#
6. JavaScript
7. Visual Basic
8. SQL
9. R
10. Delphi/Object Pascal

What is the TIOBE Index?

The TIOBE Index’s proprietor, TIOBE Software CEO Paul Jansen, notes that the index is not a prize for the “best” programming language or a list of programming languages with the most code written. Instead, TIOBE uses popular search engines to determine which languages are most used among professional programmers, programming courses, and third-party vendors.

Read more: As Rust gains ground in programming language rankings, AI coding tools are also raising new security questions for development teams with access to sensitive code and data.