Latin America’s tech talent rises amid global demand
NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES — Latin America (LATAM) is emerging as a pivotal hub for tech talent, driven by a digital workforce relocation phenomenon known as e-migration.
According to Nacho De Marco, CEO of nearshore software outsourcing company BairesDev, this relocation is democratizing access to international job markets for LATAM professionals and offering global companies a rich pool of skills and innovation.
De Marco said that the key driver of this trend is the strategic investment in education across LATAM countries. Over the past two decades, there has been a significant increase in educational funding, leading to LATAM outpacing the United States in producing tech professionals.
Mexico and Brazil alone are contributing an annual output of 605,000 software engineers. This educational push, coupled with a dramatic rise in internet connectivity—from 43% to 78% between 2012 and 2022—has bridged the gap between LATAM talent and global opportunities, fostering an environment ripe for international collaboration.
LATAM’s tech markets have also shown remarkable resilience and growth. In 2022, Brazil’s IT market reached a valuation of $45 billion, followed by Mexico at $28 billion and Peru at $6.5 billion. This growth indicates the region’s burgeoning potential to compete on a global scale, reflecting LATAM’s robust ecosystem capable of nurturing tech innovation and attracting international business.
The demand for top tech talent in the United States (U.S.) led companies to turn toward LATAM for a competitive advantage. The region’s geographical and temporal proximity to the U.S., coupled with minimal language barriers and a highly skilled workforce, positions LATAM as an attractive nearshore outsourcing hub.
Canadian call centers also seek bilingual workers in Latin America, with pay rates ranging from $25 to $32 per hour.
E-migration, facilitated through nearshore outsourcing, also emerged as a significant economic driver for LATAM, with substantial contributions expected in the region’s export sector post-2023.
Looking ahead, De Marco said that the trajectory of e-migration and nearshore outsourcing in LATAM promises sustained growth and global integration.
He added that collaborating with top-tier companies accelerates advancements, benefiting local LATAM communities through the exchange of expertise.
Jens Erik Gould, CEO of nearshore staffing firm Amalga Group, also recently stated that the nearshore outsourcing industry is poised for robust growth in the coming years thanks to Latin America’s ICT and BPO markets.
