How many people don’t use Javascript?
One of the most vexing aspects of web development is the need to ensure all Javascript is (realistically) unobtrusive. This involves making sure that those lucky few who can’t or don’t use Javascipt can still enjoy your website unhindered.
In a bold move, I set out to discover exactly how many people use Javascipt, and if it’s worth even offering this provision (of course it is; you should never alienate your audience. However, I was feeling particularly brash this day, and threw caution, along with any audience consideration, to the wind).
It turns out this number is, on average, 10%. However, the most reliable data source I could find (w3schools), have the statistic at 6%, a figure which has fallen steadily from 12% in 2002. Perhaps were approaching 100% Javascript penetration? Probably not, considering its potential for (and history of) abuse; it’s unlikely to shake of years of mistrust anytime soon. But still, one can hope?
Here is the page on w3schools with the data; it also includes detailed statistics regarding browser penetration for the last few years.
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Tags: Ajax
