In recent years, Argentina has experienced a significant boost in the information technology sector and developed a vibrant startup ecosystem, solidifying its position as one of the world’s top tech talent hubs. The country has garnered a strong reputation, with its talent pool being ranked among the world's leading in data science skills among emerging economies. But how and why did Argentine software developers gain such a formidable reputation?
A growing emphasis on tech education and English proficiency has made software developers in Argentina exceedingly competitive globally. Argentine developers got into the spotlight as some of the most skilled and reliable experts in close geographic proximity to the US.
The factors contributing to the growing popularity of software developers in Argentina are many. We are going to delve deeper to see exactly how your business can benefit from cooperation with tech experts in this country.
Recruit faster with a diverse and growing tech talent pool
The role of skilled developers has been critical in forming an ICT market in Argentina. As of now, there are more than 115,000 software developers in Argentina. The economic recession and the currency crisis had no meaningful impact on the growing number of tech experts in the country, mostly because tech occupations provided solid income, often in a foreign currency. The prospect of securing personal financial stability and the opportunity to work with foreign clients will continue to push more people into the IT sector further expanding the Argentine talent pool.
The distribution of talent across programming languages and areas of expertise roughly corresponds to that worldwide. With a large number of developers working with such languages as C++, C#, and JavaScript in Argentina, it is fairly easy to draw the required experts from this talent pool.
Let’s picture a situation: you are looking for a team of developers that would work on, say, an embedded software solution for your company. Such projects are complex and require a specific set of skills. You may find a C++ or UI/UX developer fast and easily, but that is not all. You will need people who have experience working with different connectivity protocols, edge computing experts, engineers who can design and create hardware, and more. Hiring in an exhausted talent pool where the best expertise has already been taken could be challenging. That is where additional sourcing opportunities will be of immense value.
Get strong expertise powered by top-of-the-line education
Over the past decade, education has been a primary focus for Argentina, with significant investments made in schools and universities to enhance accessibility across all economic backgrounds. This commitment has yielded fruitful results, as the country now ranks 29th globally in terms of education, surpassing other prominent nations like Brazil and Saudi Arabia.
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Census of Argentina (INDEC), as of 2020, Argentina was home to a total of 59 universities, both public and private. Notably, Argentina excels even further in the field of tech education. According to the 2020 Coursera Global Skills Index (GSI) report, Argentina holds the impressive distinction of being ranked as the number one country worldwide among growing economies in terms of technological skills.
Therefore, if you are seeking highly qualified software engineers, Argentina is the right direction to look in.
Save costs while hiring software developers in Argentina
One of the key reasons why North American companies outsource their projects overseas is cost optimization. As a developing country, Argentina presents a viable opportunity for cost-saving without sacrificing the quality of the final product.
There is a considerable currency value discrepancy between Argentina and North American countries. This discrepancy and high inflation are directly linked to lower wages across the country. At the same time, software developers in Argentina are more than capable of providing high-quality services on par with those in the US and other developed countries.
You can hire some of the industry’s top experts in Argentina at a fraction of the price, saving costs and money without sacrificing quality.
Communicate smoothly with high English proficiency in Argentine tech sector
Argentina has demonstrated a commendable level of English proficiency, ranking first in Latin America according to the EF English Proficiency Index 2022. While Spanish is the official language of Argentina, it is worth noting that many people in the country are multilingual, particularly those who have pursued higher education. In major metropolitan areas, up to 15% of the population possesses some level of English proficiency.
English proficiency is especially commonplace when it comes to international software development firms working in Argentina and Latin America in general. Almost all of these companies have at least some degree of English proficiency as a mandatory requirement for the candidates. By hiring software engineers from Argentina, you will be able to easily find people who speak good English.
Work conveniently through overlapping time zones
One of the major obstacles faced by companies when outsourcing software development is the time zone difference. This discrepancy often leads to inconsistent productivity across the team, causing challenges in coordination and collaboration.
A favorable solution to this problem is IT outsourcing to Argentina, which is highly appreciated by American companies. The time zones of Argentina and the United States are only a few hours apart, enabling developers and clients to collaborate effectively during their respective productive hours. This alignment facilitates seamless communication and enhances productivity for both parties. In simple terms, you would be working the same hours as your software developer in Argentina, which will improve the quality of cooperation.
Read more: Quality without cutting corners: nearshoring to Latin America is the answer
Argentina is a major player with ties across the region
Argentina is one of several major software development hubs in Latin America along with such countries as Colombia, Mexico, Chile, and Brazil. The region develops rapidly with a total talent pool of around one million experts. International technology companies are now racing to enter the Latin American market and hire the best available talent.
Collaboration and talent migration across Latin America creates a fruitful environment for innovation and growth for all countries that invest in the development of their ICT markets. As a result, there have formed several technology hubs across the region’s most advanced countries:
- Buenos Aires, the capital and largest city of Argentina, serves as the country's primary tech hub. It boasts a thriving startup ecosystem, focusing on fintech, e-commerce, and software development. According to Clutch, the city is home to 228 software development firms, offering a vast talent pool, numerous coworking spaces, incubators, accelerators, and an increasing number of venture capital firms.
- Medellín, the second-largest city in Colombia, has gained recognition as one of the world's most innovative cities. Clutch reports that it hosts over 100 software development companies. Medellín's tech ecosystem is rapidly growing, with a significant presence of technology firms and startups specializing in smart city technologies, urban planning, renewable energy, sustainability, robotics, automation, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), gaming, educational technology, and e-learning. The city became the first Spanish-speaking member of the WEF Fourth Industrial Revolution Network Affiliate Center in 2019, chosen for its commitment to science, technology, innovation, and collaboration between academia, public, and private sectors.
- Mexico City, being the largest city in Mexico, is experiencing a surge in startups and established tech companies. With 184 software development companies, it possesses a strong ecosystem of incubators, accelerators, and venture capital firms. Mexico City is renowned for its focus on fintech, e-commerce, and software development.
- São Paulo, the largest city in Brazil and a prominent financial and economic center, features a diverse tech scene. With 81 software development firms, São Paulo represents various sectors within the tech industry, including e-commerce, fintech, software development, and artificial intelligence. The city hosts numerous renowned tech companies, such as Nubank, iFood, and Gympass. In 2022, São Paulo was ranked as the top city for startups in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Read more: Nearshore software development in Mexico: market overview, key destinations, and benefits
Global software development companies like N-iX have already expanded their operations to Latin America. With decades of experience in providing custom software development services to North American companies, it becomes easier for such companies to set up smooth collaboration with their clients. Pair strategic geographic location with the many benefits of working with software developers in Argentina and other Latin American countries, and get an uninterrupted influx of skilled talent.
Why choose N-iX as your partner in Latin America?
N-iX is a global software development company with 25 locations across Europe and the Americas. Our presence in Latin America enables us to attract and hire the region's top talent. With a wealth of experience and technical expertise, we are capable of handling projects of any complexity.
Throughout our journey, we have collaborated with numerous clients spanning various sectors, including manufacturing, automotive, logistics and supply chain, healthcare, and more. Our team has experience working with a wide range of programming languages and offers specialized knowledge in technology consulting, Big Data, Embedded and IoT, Machine Learning, and other domains.
