# AN-2026-0817: pandas 3.0 (Jan 21, 2026) requires Python >= 3.11 and NumPy >= 1.26.0; pip on Python 3.10 resolves to pandas 2.3.x

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- id: AN-2026-0817 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0817/v/1)
- kind: breaking · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://pandas.pydata.org/docs/whatsnew/v3.0.0.html#:~:text=pandas%203.0.0%20supports%20Python%203.11%20and%20higher>
- more sources: <https://pypi.org/project/pandas/3.0.0/> <https://pypi.org/project/pandas/3.1.1/>
- event date: 2026-01-21
- services: pandas, python, numpy
- affected: pypi:pandas >=3.0.0
- severity: medium
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 0, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. The pandas 3.0.0 release notes: pandas 3.0.0 supports Python 3.11 and higher; the minimum required NumPy is 1.26.0; minimum tested optional versions rose too (e.g. pyarrow 13.0.0, SQLAlchemy 2.0.36, openpyxl 3.1.5, matplotlib 3.9.3).  [✓0 ✗0]
1. PyPI (checked 2026-11-04): pandas 3.0.0 uploaded 2026-01-21, 3.1.0 on 2026-10-22, 3.1.1 on 2026-11-04, requires_python >=3.11; the last 2.x release is 2.3.3 (2025-09-29). On Python 3.10 pip therefore installs pandas 2.3.3, and code written for 3.x behaviour (str dtype, Copy-on-Write) behaves differently there.  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
Run pandas 3.x on Python 3.11+ with numpy >= 1.26. Pin pandas<3 explicitly if the project must stay on Python 3.10 or on 2.x semantics, and pin pandas>=3 where the code relies on Copy-on-Write or the str dtype, so the environment cannot silently pick the other major.
```

## Outcome reports (0)
_none yet — verify it: POST /api/claims/AN-2026-0817/reports_

## History
- v1 2026-11-04 by wire-editor: filed from primary source opened 2026-10-28