Explore an in-depth breakdown of international hiring in Asia, Europe, Africa and LATAM.
Remote work is on the rise, both in the US and around the world, and this trend is increasingly leading US companies to consider hiring international remote workers. One study from The Conference Board showed that US companies were twice as likely to consider hiring remote international employees in 2020 compared to 2018, and over a third of companies were open to fully remote work versus just 12% before the COVID-19 pandemic.
With interest in remote employment growing rapidly, it’s vital to understand the global talent market so that you can make an informed decision when making your next hire. This report highlights the benefits of each major region and explores the top countries from each, offering an in-depth breakdown of international hiring in Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America for US companies in 2025.
It’s well-known that Asia boasts a massive, rapidly growing pool of software developers, with millions of professionals available across every specialty. Countries like China and India produce an impressive number of tech graduates each year from their internationally-acclaimed universities – which include two of the top 10 universities in the world for computer science, both located in Singapore.
China has the largest developer population in the world, outpacing the US by almost a million engineers with a total developer population of 3,885,000. After the US is India, with over 2.5 million developers, with Japan and South Korea also making it into the top 10, according to JetBrains.
Let’s explore the top countries for tech hiring in Asia:
With the third-largest developer population in the world, India is a popular choice for US companies looking to hire tech talent abroad. The country also offers significant cost savings compared to other countries, and developers typically speak English as a first language, making for easier communication.
Though the Philippines offers a smaller talent pool, it makes up for it with greater cost savings and a recent push to grow their IT sector by boosting their tech infrastructure and education. The Philippines also offers native English speakers and a favorable business environment.
Vietnam offers a fast-growing IT sector, with a young remote-first workforce, and a focus on STEM education, making it well-suited for US companies looking to hire developers internationally. While English is not an official language of Vietnam, it is estimated that over half the population are English speakers.
Africa boasts a large and rapidly expanding pool of professional developers that many US companies are only now tapping into, particularly in countries like Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. As the youngest continent – over 60% of African citizens are under 25 – Africa offers unique potential for US companies looking to hire recent graduates and junior professionals, as well as a healthy pool of senior developers.
Africa offers significant savings compared to other parts of the world, comparable to Asia, with the additional advantage of being geographically closer, allowing for easier collaboration with US teams. Africa also has a large English-speaking population, with many developers speaking English as a first or second language.
Some of the top countries for tech hiring in Africa include:
With a developer population of over 130,000 – the largest in Africa – South Africa offers the combination of a skilled, educated workforce and significantly lower costs when compared to the US. South Africa also offers strong cultural and geographic compatibility with the US and Western Europe, as well as native English fluency.
Nigeria has one of the fastest-growing IT markets in Africa, with a variety of startups located in Lagos, the country’s largest city and former capital. Nigerian developers are adaptable, fluent in English, and possess skills in a wide range of technologies, making them a perfect choice for US companies looking to hire abroad.
Another growing tech hub, Kenya is experiencing significant investment in its tech infrastructure and education. The country offers affordable developer rates, English fluency, and time zone overlap with both European and American business hours.
Europe is a strong choice for US companies looking to hire abroad, particularly those with a slightly bigger budget. Europe boasts 3 of the top ten universities in the world for computer science, located in the UK and Switzerland, and possesses strong technological infrastructure and education.
Europe is also widely considered to have the greatest cultural compatibility with the United States, offering a huge population of fluent English speakers with a strong cultural understanding of the US and familiarity with US work culture.
Some of the leading companies for developers in Europe include:
The most pricey option on this list, the UK is still worth considering for companies with a slightly larger budget. Boasting 2 of the top ten universities in the world for computer science and the 7th highest population of developers, the UK offers exceptional tech talent supported by a strong IT infrastructure.
Despite the ongoing war, Ukraine has remained one of the most popular destinations for US companies looking to hire remote tech talent abroad. Known for its high-quality developers, Ukraine offers strong technical skills at competitive rates, with the industry demonstrating remarkable resilience and innovation.
A mid-range option from Europe is Portugal, which has become a top location for hiring skilled software engineers remotely in recent years. Portugal boasts a high proportion of STEM graduates, and the country has an impressive pool of around 230,000 IT specialists.
Hiring in Latin America offers the perfect blend of cost savings, professional experience, and cultural compatibility for US companies. With some of the highest investment in technological infrastructure and higher education in the world, the LATAM region has fostered a thriving population of experienced, educated tech professionals.
One of LATAM’s greatest strengths is cultural compatibility. Latin America has strong cultural ties with the United States, and Latin American developers are well-versed in US professional culture and experienced in working with North American teams.
Some top locations for hiring in LATAM include:
Mexico is often the first country that comes to mind when US companies think of hiring abroad. Due to their shared border and strong cultural ties, Mexico has been a popular destination for US hiring for decades. Mexico’s technology sector boasts year-on-year growth of over 10%, contributing to its highly skilled workforce.
Brazil has rapidly become a hub for both startups and tech talent, which is no surprise given it has the largest economy in Latin America. Brazil also boasts a significant time zone overlap for US businesses and strong English fluency.
Argentina offers a large pool of highly educated tech talent with strong English proficiency, at some of the lowest rates in Latin America. With a substantial time zone overlap with the United States, Argentina is a popular choice for US companies on a budget.
When choosing where to make your next remote developer hire, it’s important to consider your priorities. If you value close collaboration and cultural compatibility, Latin America might be the best choice, whereas a more cost-conscious team may prefer to hire from Asia or Africa. Europe is a strong choice for teams seeking the highest calibre of talent at a moderate discount.
For custom guidance on your remote hiring journey, or for help getting started with hiring a remote developer, book a free consultation with our senior talent team and begin exploring options for expanding your developer workforce abroad.
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