The second beta build of MX Linux 23, based on the recently-released Debian 12, is ready for testing: "MX Linux 23 beta 2 is now available for testing. MX 23 is built from Debian 12 ‘bookworm’ and MX repositories. As in past releases, MX will default to SysVInit but systemd remains an option for installed systems. This release builds upon beta 1 and includes all bug fixes and changes to date, including default wallpapers and theming.
Why is this distro still on number one position in distrowatch.com?
MXLinux is quite simply an excellent, well built distro. Not that there aren’t others, there are. I don’t use MX these days because I prefer to use Debian Sid. MX by design does not encourage that. MX Linux serves those folks who seek to use many, diverse, reliable options.
As for Distrowatch numbers and their reliability (or meaning) you should be cautious. Here’s a pretty good discussion of what their numbers may or may not mean. In the end there are simply a lot of good reliable distros. Use the one(s) you like best. https://thepcspy.com/read/do-distrowatchs-statistics-equate-popularity/
