Do you want to know some Linux statistics in detail? Well, you’ve come to the right place.
In the following article, we’re going to share with you the most detailed data on how Linux as an operating system has evolved over the years.
Quite a few years back, on September 17, 1991, a young scientist named Linus Torvalds released the first freely accessible operating system – Linux.
In recent years, Linux has occupied its place as one of the best-operating systems. It is mainly used in smartphones, aerospace engineering, and platforms like Amazon, Netflix, and Google.
Although Linux is widely used worldwide, with brilliant leaders, it continues to work as a mystery OS for most people.
Here are some facts and statistics about Linux. But before getting into the details, let’s have a quick look at some remarkable vital numbers.
Key Linux Statistics
- Linux was launched on 17th September 1991.
- Linux runs on all the world’s top 500 supercomputers in 2021.
- The number of Linux games available on Steam reached 4,060 during 2018.
- On average, 54% of professional software developers used Linux as a platform in 2019.
- More than 15,000 developers from 1,500+ companies have contributed to the Linux kernel code.
- All the major space programs use Linux, including one SpaceX vehicle named Falcon 9.
- Linux has some fantastic applications for personal and small business financial management.
- Amazon Linux, a leading cloud platform, helps millions of customers power their infrastructure.
- The White House has been using the Red Hat operating system since 2001.
- The Bank of Brazil changed all its desktops, ATMs, and servers to Linux in the year 2002.
Latest Linux Statistics
1. Linux Was Launched on 17th September 1991
Linux is a free, open-source operating system launched on September 17, 1991, by Linus Torvalds. It has been 30 years now, and the popularity of Linux is increasing day by day.
2. About 1.93% of All Desktop Operating Systems Worldwide Is Linux
Out of all the known desktop operating systems worldwide, 1.93% of them is Linux. Linux is most prevalent in India, Russia, and Cuba on a global level.
However, Indonesia and the Czech Republic are not far behind this list.
During 2018, Linux attained a market share of 3.97% of Linux in India. However, it seems to be going up regularly throughout the world, and India is no exception.
4. Linux Runs on All the World’s Top 500 Supercomputers in 2021
According to the latest reports of 2021, Linux Statistics on operating systems runs on all the top 500 supercomputers around the world. According to a 2017’s report, Linux used to run on 498 supercomputers.
5. The Number of Linux Games Available on Steam Reached 4,060 During 2018
There were about 4,060 Linux compatible games available on Steam during 2018. However, as of June 2020, the number of games available on Steam with Linux support has increased to 6,500.
According to a survey in 2017, 19.5% of the global infotainment market share belongs to Linux. Although it’s not a huge share, it is gradually rising.
7. 95% of The Servers that Run the Top 1 Million Domains Across the Globe Are Powered by Linux
According to W3Cook, Linux operating system powers 95% of the top 1 million domains in the world. Alexa ranks these one million domains.
Additionally, W3Techs claims that Linux powers 70% of the servers that run the top 10 million domains.
8. 85% of All Smartphones Are Based on Linux
The operating system Android is based on the Linux kernel. According to a survey released in November 2020, around 85% of the smartphones shipped during the year were Android.
Therefore, it is clear that 85% of the smartphones shipped rely on Linux. This is evident based on Linux Statistics.
Linux Statistics From Usage
9. In The Year 2018, Over 25% of Professional Developers Used Linux
While Windows is the most used operating system, Linux is not lagging.
According to a survey carried out back in 2018, 25.32% of the professional software developers used Linux as their operating system, which is the second-highest.
10. On Average, 54% of Professional Software Developers Used Linux as A Platform in 2019
A 2019 survey claims that out of 100 professional developers, 54 used Linux as a platform 2019.
When compared with statistics in 2018, it is seen that the use of Linux has increased considerably. More than half of the software developers trust Linux over any other operating system.
11. More than 36% of The Websites (with Known Operating Systems) Use Linux
From a recent survey, it is considered that among the websites with a known operating system, 36.7% of them use Linux as their operating system.
Big websites like Google, Microsoft, AT&T, Fujitsu, Huawei, IBM, Cisco, and Intel use Linux. And day by day, the number of websites that use Linux keeps on increasing.
12. 83.1% of Developers Prefer to Work on Linux than Other Platforms
With the arrival of the cloud era, the number of developers preferring Linux has increased. Around 83.1% of software developers prefer working on Linux to any available operating system.
13. Since Its Creation, More than 15,000+ Developers from 1,500+ Companies Have Contributed to The Linux Kernel Code
According to a survey performed in the year 2017, 15,637 developers from 1,513 companies have contributed to the kernel.
The top ten sponsoring companies include Red Hat, Linaro, Google, AMD, Intel, IBM, Samsung, SUSE, Renesas, and Mellanox.
14. Debian Has Over 1,000 Volunteers
Debian, one of the oldest distributors of Linux, has more than 1,000 devoted volunteers. Well-known for being a multipurpose Linux distributor, it is perfect for businesses.
It has many remarkable tools appropriate for individuals and companies.
15. Around 79% of Ubuntu Users Have Approximately 0–499 Gb of Disk Storage
Disk storage displays the amount of information that a computer can store. It is observed that 79% of the users of Ubuntu (a Linux distribution based on Debian) have 0–499 GB of disk storage.
Likewise, 13% of users possess 500–2000 GB, and 7% have over 2000 GB of disk storage.
16. 59% of Ubuntu Users Prefer English
A Linux usage statistics survey reveals that English is the most preferred language, with 59% of Ubuntu users preferring it.
While French, Portuguese, and Spanish come in second with 7% users. However, Chinese and Russian are favoured by 4% and 3%, respectively.
17. A Mere 0.4% of Websites Use Red Hat Linux Distribution
Although Red Hat Linux is one of the most popular operating system distributors, a small percentage of websites use it.
In October 2019, about 0.72% of websites used Red Hat Linux, and since then, it has kept decreasing. With that being said, only 0.4% of websites now use Red Hat Linux distribution.
18. Fedora Is the Least Popular Distributor with Only 0.1% of Usage
The Fedora Linux distribution is not as popular as the other Linux distributors. With only 0.1% usage, it is one of the least used Linux distributors. Moreover, it is decreasing day by day.
Linux Demographic Statistics
19. In 2016, 10.5% of The Developers Were Women
Although relatively low, a survey carried out back in 2016 shows that 10.5% of the global developers were female. However, it should be noted that the gender of many developers is still unknown.
20. About 9% of The Linux Kernel Git Population Are Female
After analysing git activity and people, it is found that around 9.9% of the Linux kernel git population are women.
Even though the female population around the globe has increased by 2 points, the contribution of the female population on Linux kernel git has risen by only 1.5 points.
21. On Average, 5% of Ubuntu’s Users Are Women
In a survey conducted in 2010, it was observed that there were a total of 625 Ubuntu members, and out of the theme, 32 are female. That means more than 5% of the Ubuntu members were women.
22. On A Global Scale, India, Russia, and Cuba Prefer Linux
Some surveys reveal that Linux is very popular in India, Russia, and Cuba, accompanied by Indonesia and the Czech Republic.
However, when looking at regional popularity, Germany falls 10th in the search popularity for Linux.
23. Talking About the Us, Linux Is Most Popular in The States of California, and Utah
Across the United States, the interest in Linux is more substantial in California and Utah than in other countries.
Of course, California is the home of Silicon Valley, which is why Linux is so popular there. However, there is no valid reason why people in Utah are so fond of Linux.
Linux Statistics: Field Usage
24. As Of 2018, There Were Over 20 Million Lines in The Linux Kernel Code
Linux, one of the largest open-source operating systems, has 20,323,379 lines of code. Although it looks like a lot, in reality, it is the smallest the kernel has been for a while.
However, despite there being a fall in the number of kernel codes recently, it still tops being the most prominent open-source project in the whole world.
25. All the Major Space Program Uses Linux, Including One of The Space X Vehicles Named Falcon 9. Their Software Runs on Linux
All the rockets and satellites of SpaceX run on various variations of the Linux operating system. SpaceX has launched around 32,000 Linux computers into space to power the Starlink internet.
One of the main reasons why SpaceX uses Linux is that it allows the programmers to use the robust software and streamline the process of development.
They prefer the C++ language, a popular coding language with the C++ ecosystem.
26. According to Alexa’s Count of The World’s Top 25 Websites, 23 of Them Are Using Linux
As reported by Alexa, out of the top 25 websites worldwide, only two websites aren’t using Linux. Top websites like Twitter, Yahoo, eBay, etc., run on Linux.
However, two websites, namely bing.com and live.com, aren’t using Linux, and they belong to the Microsoft family. And that is the reason why it is said that a planet without Linux is a planet without the internet.
27. As Per FreeBSD, Over 96% of The Top 1 Million Servers in The World Run on Linux
It’s hard to specify how popular Linux is, but according to a study conducted by FreeBSD in 2021, about 96.3% of the world’s top one million servers run on Linux operating system.
Without any doubt, Linux is one of the most secured kernels out there, and that’s the exact reason why it has gained such popularity over a short period.
Undoubtedly, Linux statics cannot fib about its popularity and usage.
28. Linux Has Some Amazing Applications for Personal and Small Business Financial Management
Having the right kind of finance software plays an essential role in financial success. Unlike Mac and Windows, Linux tops the most efficient and reliable operating systems.
With Linux, all your personal financial information remains secure as it gives protection against malware, viruses, and data loss.
Linux is an open, efficient, and worry-free platform that supports different personal financial management software. GnuCash and HomeBank are among the many unique financial management software.
29. Around 90% of The Public Cloud Workload Runs on Linux
Linux statistics hold that it was powering 90% of the public cloud workload during 2017. Linux is designed in such a way that it can support different devices, cases, and target systems.
And as a result, many industry publications claim it the best option for cloud computing. Linux being an open-source, modular operating system is among the other reasons for its popularity.
30. 90% of Special Effects of Hollywood Are Made on Linux
From DreamWorks Animation to Sony, Disney/Pixar to ILM, all the leading Hollywood movie production studios use Linux to produce special effects.
You might not believe it, but practically all the blockbuster movies from Hollywood were created using Linux.
Hollywood prefers Linux over Mac and Windows; three main reasons are faster, more practical, and cheaper.
Linux Statistics: Usage in Corporate Houses
31. Amazon Linux, a Leading Cloud Platform, Helps Millions of Customers Power Their Infrastructure
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the most comprehensive and widely adopted cloud platforms globally. It features more than 200 services from various data centres around the world.
Customers, including large enterprises, rapidly growing startups, and government agencies, prefer Amazon Web Services.
They use it to lower their cost, be more innovative, and become more agile. AWS runs on Amazon Linux operating system.
32. All Android Smartphone Runs on The Linux Kernel
A survey conducted back in 2018 reveals that about 75.16% of all the smartphones in the market are Android.
And as per a recent report by Gartner and Statista, 86% of the global market share of smartphones is Android. Moreover, all these Android smartphones work on the Linux operating system.
33. Sony PS4 Works on Orbis Os, Which Is Developed on A Linux Based Kernel
The PlayStation 4 works on the Orbis operating system, a modified version of FreeBSD 9.0. The FreeBSD is relatively compatible with most Linux applications.
And this means that almost all the games work on Linux computers. However, hoping for a Linux gaming renaissance will sadly fetch no fruit.
Linux Statistics: Usage in Countries
34. China Has a Linux Operating System Named Ubuntu Kylin
Ubuntu Kylin is a highly customised spin-off of Ubuntu Linux. It was developed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) government for Chinese users.
Unlike other Linux projects built by government bodies, the Ubuntu Kylin is quite good.
35. Pardus Is a Linux-Based Operating System Built by The Turkish Government
Back in 2005, the Turkish government launched a Linux-based OS under the name Pardus.
It is made by collaborating two great institutions, the Turkish National Research Institute of Electronics and Cryptology and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey.
One of the most amazing tools of Pardus is the PiSi package management, based on Debian.
36. Russia Uses Astra, an Operating System Based on Linux
Astra Linux, a Linux-based Russian operating system, is mainly developed to fulfil the requirements of the Russian army and other intelligence agencies and armed forces.
It provides top-level data protection and is certified by Federal Service for Technical and Export Control, the Russian Defense Ministry, and Federal Security Service.
37. The White House Has Been Using the Red Hat Operating System Since 2001
The White House switched its official website (whitehouse.gov) to the Red Hat operating system in July 2001. This operating system runs on Apache HTTP Server.
However, the White House servers adopted Drupal in October 2009. It is a free and open-source content management software.
38. Vienna Moved to A Debian-Based Operating System Named Wienux
The Austrian capital city of Vienna has started to migrate its desktops to Wienux, a Debian-based operating system. However, the idea wasn’t a big success as all its necessary software was incompatible with Linux.
39. The Government of Venezuela Uses Canaima Operating System
The Canaima operating system is an open-sourced Linux distribution based on Debian OS. It was created to fulfil the needs of the Venezuelan government.
On March 14, 2011, Canaima was officially launched as the operating system for the public administration of Venezuela. The latest version of Canaima was released on June 24, 2020.
Linux Statistics: Usage in the Military
40. The Defense Departments of The United States Shifted to Linux in The Year 2007
The Department of Defense, both the US Navy and the US Army migrated to Linux in 2007 as Linux is a lighter software with a high level of security.
On one side, the US Army uses computers based on Red Hat Linux, while the nuclear submarine of the US Navy runs on Linux.
41. in 2003, the Internet Forensics of The Dutch Police Changed to Linux Desktops
The Internet Research and Investigation Network (IRN) of the Dutch Police has been using Linux desktops since 2003.
They have been using open and free source software based on open standards developed with the codes available on the internet for audit.
In 2013, the forensics department of the Dutch police used around 2200 Ubuntu workstations.
Linux Statistics: Usage in Banks
42. In 2005, to Avoid Piracy, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Shifted to Linux
From the year 2005, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) started installing Linux in all its retail branches.
Around 20,000 as the basis for a new terminal platform started using Linux to avoid piracy-related problems.
43. The Union Bank of California Adopted Linux Back in 2007
In 2007, the Union Bank of California announced standardising the Information Technology infrastructure on the well-known Red Hat Enterprise Linux, mainly aiming to lower costs.
As Linux is an open-source operating system, it helps in reducing the overall costs.
44. The Bank of Brazil Changed all its Desktops, ATMs, and Servers to Linux in the Year 2002
The biggest bank in Brazil, Banco do Brazil, had migrated most of its desktops to Linux in 2002. Some corporate desktops that need to be run on specific hardware are exceptions.
Meanwhile, all the branch servers and ATMs work on Linux. And openSUSE is the distribution they choose.
Linux Kernel Lines of Code (LOC) and Version Statistics
45. the 0.01 Version of Linux Had 10,000+ Lines of Code
The First (0.01) version of Linux, which was released in September 1991, had about 10,239 lines. However, the latest version of Linux has more than 20 million lines of code.
46. New Versions of Linux Are Launched Every 60 to 70 Days
Linux’s users don’t need to wait much, as new versions of Linux are released every 60 to 70 days.
For instance, the 5.14 version of Linux was released on August 29, 2021, and version 5.15 was launched on October 31, 2021, in just over two months.
Similarly, the newest 5.16-rc2 version came after 21 days, on November 21, 2021.
Some Other Facts About Linux that You Should Know
Having shared 46 mind-blowing Linux statistics already, let’s wrap up today’s edition with ten quick but equally fantastic stats.
- The programmers working for corporations have written 75% of the lines of code of Linux.
- Google only has a contribution of 1.1% of Linux’s LOC.
- The first billion-dollar open source company is Red Hat.
- A survey reveals that in 2016, Samsung contributed 3.6% of the Linux kernel.
- Ubuntu, one of the children of Linux, was first launched on 20 October 2014.
- To install Ubuntu, you only need 10 to 18 minutes.
- The latest version of Ubuntu will reach an end in April 2025.
- Manjaro, another distro of Linux, was first released on 10 July 2011.
- According to the users, Manjaro is the perfect option for both pros and beginners.
- Debian, the oldest child of the Linux operating system, was launched in September 1993.
In Conclusion
Based on all the abovementioned Linux statistics, we’re done sharing the details of Linux OS usage and users. Similar to Windows and Mac, Linux is an open-source operating system developed by Linus Torvalds.
Based on all the statistics provided, it is evident that Linux has made an enormous contribution to the world of technology, and the future seems to be bright.
Throughout the article, you’ll learn impressive numbers, including the user base, demographics, usage-by-field statistics, and more. The amount of Linux OS users consistently grows, and it is almost impossible to keep up with the exact data – the OS is impressive.
Although we tried our best to maintain a user-friendly tone throughout, some users might find themselves in trouble decoding some words.
If you’re one of them, don’t hesitate to let us know in the comment section below. Furthermore, you can use the same section and make us aware of additional stats if we missed any.
Sources
| Ars Technica | Wikipedia | Linux Hint |
| Wikipedia | Ars Technica | Wikipedia |
| ExtremeTech | Hayden James | Linux Foundation |
| Zdnet |
