[alerighi]

I think the reason is that Matlab is more oriented to people that are not programmers, such as mathematicians and engineers, since it's more "user friendly" than python. It has everything is needed (an IDE, interactive REPL, tools to make graphs, graphical tools to build systems without writing code, etc) integrated, no need to install external library or tools, no need to use the CLI, just run the installer and done. The language then is more natural for non programmers (for example array starts as 1 and not 0), and it's use is more similar of the one of a graphical calculator than a programming language.

I think Python is superior, but perceived as difficult for non programmers.

[ethbr0]

There's a subtle difference between most programming work and non-programmers (usually engineering).

A lot of programmer work is general purpose, create something new in a novel way.

A lot of non-programmer work is highly specialized, tailoring a solution for a specific use case out of existent but adapted parts.

For the latter, it can make a lot of sense to work within a mature ecosystem, where most of the components are already available, even if you sacrifice flexibility when you need to go out of bounds.

And also you adapt your workflow and designs to the tool, not vice versus.