As of 2021, the vast majority of WordPress websites are using MySQL version 5.6 or higher because WordPress has required at least MySQL version 5.6 since version 4.4, released in 2015.
Newer MySQL versions are not yet widely adopted, as some users may be using older hosting environments that do not support them, or they may be hesitant to upgrade due to concerns about compatibility with plugins and themes.
It is worth noting that while newer versions of MySQL generally offer improved performance and features, they may also introduce backward compatibility issues. Therefore, it is important for WordPress users to carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of upgrading to a newer version of MySQL.
This chart displays the current market share (in %) for each MySQL version used by active WordPress websites.
