The Top Nearshore Development Countries

Introduction

Nearshore development refers to the practice of outsourcing software development to countries that are geographically close to the company that is doing the outsourcing. This can be an attractive option for United States companies because it allows them to take advantage of lower labor costs while still being able to communicate and collaborate with their development team easily due to the proximity. 

Overview of Nearshore Development Countries

Nearshore development countries are particularly attractive because the cultural, linguistic, and time zone similarities between the parent company and the development team can facilitate clear communication and understanding, which is critical for successful custom software development projects. Nearshore software outsourcing also reduces the risks associated with talent outsourcing as the distance between the two parties is minimized.

Countries considered “nearshore” will vary depending on the location of the outsourcing company. For instance, a company in the United States might consider Mexico and Canada as nearshore development destinations. In contrast, a company in Europe might consider countries in South America to be nearshore.

Popular Nearshore Software Development Countries

Here is a list of nearshore development countries that are commonly considered top talent destinations. each with their own benefits. 

Brazil

Population

The current population of Brazil is 216.2 million.

Spoken Languages

The official language of Brazil is Portuguese, but there are also several indigenous languages spoken in Brazil, including Guarani, Tupi, Kayapó, Wari, and Xavante. Many immigrants in Brazil speak a variety of languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Italian. 

Quick Facts

Colombia

Population 

The current population of Colombia is 52.2 million.

Spoken Languages

The official language of Colombia is Spanish. However, several indigenous languages are spoken in Colombia, including Quechua, Wayuu, and Kichwa, among others. Additionally, some communities in Colombia speak Afro-Caribbean languages, such as Palenquero and Creole English.

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Mexico

Population

The current population of Mexico is 132.2 million.

Spoken Languages

There are two main languages spoken in Mexico: Spanish and Indigenous languages. Spanish is the official and predominant language in Mexico, and the majority of the population speaks it. 

There are around 68 Indigenous languages spoken in Mexico, including Nahuatl, Maya, Mixtec, and Tzotzil. Indigenous languages are also recognized as official languages in some regions of the country. English is also spoken by a small portion of the population, especially in urban areas.

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Costa Rica

Population

The current population of Costa Rica is 5.2 million. 

Spoken Languages 

The official language of Costa Rica is Spanish, but there are also some indigenous languages spoken in certain regions, such as Bribri, Cabécar, and Guaymí. Additionally, many Costa Ricans are also fluent in English due to the country’s strong tourism industry.

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Peru

Population

The current population of Peru is 34.1 million.  

Spoken Languages

The official language of Peru is Spanish, but many indigenous languages are also spoken in the country, including Aymara, Quechua, and a number of Amazonian languages such as Asháninka, Shipibo-Konibo, and Yine.

Quick Facts

1.     Peru is located in the western part of South America and has a strong tradition in technology and software development.

2.     The time zone in Peru is similar to the US and Canada, making it easier for companies to collaborate and communicate with their offshore teams.

3.     Peru has a growing startup ecosystem and is home to many successful tech companies, including the social media platform Olapic and software development firm Industrial Global Union.

Chile

Population

The current population of Chile is 19.52 million.

Spoken Languages

The official language of Chile is Spanish. However, there are also small communities of speakers of indigenous languages, such as Mapuche, Quechua, Aymara, and Rapa Nui.

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Argentina

Population

The current population of Argentina is 46.2 million. 

Spoken Languages

Spanish is the official and most widely spoken language in Argentina. However, there are also small populations of speakers of English, Italian, German, and French, as well as various indigenous languages such as Quechua, Mapuche, and Guarani.

Quick Facts

1. Argentina has the highest technological skills in the world, according to the 2020 Coursera Global Skills Index report. In a survey conducted by Stack Overflow, IT developers in Argentina stated that Python was their preferred programming language, while they received the most inquiries about C and Java language.
2. With approximately 134,000 software developers, Argentina is an excellent location in Latin America to hire remote software developers.
3. You can be confident that your workforce will be highly educated, with seven Argentinian universities ranked in the top 50 in Latin America. Additionally, students can choose from 200 IT degrees at several highly-ranked universities.

Venezuela

Population

The current population of Venezuela is 28.2 million.

Spoken Languages 

The official language of Venezuela is Spanish. However, there are also indigenous languages spoken in Venezuela, such as Wayuu, Warao, Pemon, and Yanomami. English is also widely spoken as a second language, especially in the business and tourism sectors. 

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Ecuador

Population

The current population of Ecuador is 18 million.

Spoken Languages 

Spanish is the official language in Ecuador, but there are many other indigenous languages spoken in the country, including Shuar, Quechua, and Awapit. Many people in Ecuador speak some English, especially in tourist areas and in business settings. 

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Dominican Republic

Population

The current population of the Dominican Republic is 11.1 million.

Spoken Languages

The official language of the Dominican Republic is Spanish. However, there are also small communities that speak indigenous languages, such as Taíno and Garifuna, as well as Haitian Creole due to the country’s close proximity to Haiti. English serves as a second language in order to communicate better with tourists. 

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Puerto Rico

Population

The current population of Puerto Rico is 2.6 million.

Spoken Languages

The official language of Puerto Rico is Spanish. However, English is also widely spoken and taught in schools. Some people also speak a local dialect known as Puerto Rican Spanish, which includes elements of indigenous languages, African languages, and other Caribbean dialects.

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Summary

If you believe that nearshoring software development in Latin America is the right decision for your business, it’s time to start recruiting. Finding and hiring talent can be a complex process, but working with a trusted partner like Flatirons can make it much easier. 

At Flatirons, we source the most skilled software developers in Latin America to support your project and fill any expertise gaps, ensuring the best possible outcome. Our extensive network in the region allows us to offer cost-effective nearshore software development services with top-tier talent.