GitHub’s user base in the UK has reached over 4 million in 2024, driven by embracing AI tools.
- The UK ranks fifth globally in GitHub’s developer community and leads in the EMEA region.
- GitHub’s AI tools, including the new Spark, are enhancing development speed and user capabilities.
- The use of AI-assisted tools like Copilot is rising, with 73% of open source users adopting them.
- GitHub envisions a future with up to a billion developers worldwide, expanding the role of a developer.
GitHub has recently announced that its UK user base has surpassed four million users in 2024. This marks a 19% increase from the previous year, when the platform had 3.4 million users. The UK currently holds the position of having the fifth-largest developer community on GitHub globally, and it also boasts the largest developer population within the EMEA region. It is projected that the UK will maintain this ranking until at least 2028. In addition to this, the UK is the fifth-highest contributor to open source projects on GitHub, highlighting its active participation in the global developer community.
Martin Woodward, Vice President of Developer Relations at GitHub, commented on the robust participation of UK entities in utilizing GitHub for various projects. He stated, “If you walk around Canary Wharf, they’re all using GitHub because it’s particularly good at connecting teams together.” This reflects the strong foothold the platform has gained among businesses based in the UK, as well as among international entities operating within the region. The platform has particularly seen growth in communities focused on research, data science, and mathematics.
The rise in UK users accompanies GitHub’s rollout of several AI-driven tools, unveiled at the annual Universe conference in San Francisco. Among these developments is Spark, a low-code tool which allows users to create web apps at an unprecedented speed with AI assistance. The adoption of AI tools like GitHub Copilot continues to grow, with 73% of open source respondents indicating they use these technologies for coding or documentation tasks.
Jonathan Carter, lead at GitHub Next, articulated a vision for the future of software development. He expressed optimism about the increasing demand for software developers and the expanding definition of what it means to be a developer. “You don’t need to be a chef to care about making a home-cooked meal,” he explained, illustrating the belief that more individuals can contribute to software development without having traditional expertise in the field. Carter’s sentiments are echoed by Martin Woodward, who emphasised the transformative role AI is playing in accelerating learning and creation within the field. “I’m jealous of this generation that’s coming up, because I’m able to learn these new technologies much quicker now because I have AI to help me,” Woodward noted.
GitHub foresees that the number of global developers could potentially climb to one billion, encouraged by the utilisation of AI-assisted and low-code tools. This ambition is underpinned by the notion that software development can yield practical value as well as foster creativity and enjoyment.
GitHub’s strategic move towards AI tools is significantly contributing to the growth and accessibility of software development, particularly in the UK.
