Reactive programming is a programming paradigm that emphasizes asynchronous data streams and event-driven processing. It allows developers to build applications that are highly responsive, scalable, and efficient, particularly in environments with high concurrency and latency-sensitive operations. Unlike traditional blocking models, reactive programming utilizes non-blocking calls, enabling systems to handle multiple tasks simultaneously without stalling. This approach is particularly beneficial for applications that require real-time data processing, such as web services, APIs, and microservices. By modeling data and events as streams, developers can create more dynamic and resilient applications that adapt to changing conditions seamlessly.