E-migration: the rise and impact of nearshoring on global talent

Immigration has long dominated discussions among business leaders, lawmakers and global citizens, serving as a lightning rod for debates on security, economics and opportunity.

At its core, these discussions revolve around the movement of talent — how people cross borders in pursuit of better prospects and how nations adapt to its economic and social impacts. Yet, amid these conversations, a quieter revolution is reshaping the talent landscape: nearshoring and e-migration.

Nearshoring — the practice of outsourcing work to neighbouring countries — offers time zone and cultural alignment. E-migration takes it further, enabling talented professionals to contribute to global initiatives without leaving their communities, wherever they may be. Together, these forces are solving some of the most pressing challenges around talent, immigration and economic growth.

Consider the United States’ recent efforts to strengthen economic relationships with Latin America. In 2019, the América Crece initiative was launched to catalyze private-sector investment in the region's infrastructure. By addressing a $100-150 billion annual investment gap, programmes like this lay the groundwork for stronger regional partnerships.

At the same time, new U.S. policies aim to curb undocumented migration while fostering opportunities in Latin America. Nearshoring fits squarely into this vision. By encouraging collaboration with countries like Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, nearshoring creates jobs, fosters innovation and addresses talent shortages without the need for large-scale migration.

Nearshoring’s evolution into e-migration has been nothing short of revolutionary. In 2023 alone, over 2.2 million remote workers from Brazil, Argentina and Mexico contributed to global companies — all while staying in their home countries. This shift didn’t happen overnight. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work, breaking geographic barriers and creating a global talent marketplace.

Latin American governments embraced this trend early, launching initiatives like Mexico’s National Digital Strategy and Brazil’s Digital Transformation Strategy to support digital professionals. The result? A thriving ecosystem of skilled software engineers who seamlessly collaborate with U.S. teams. This growing demand for Latin American talent has provided new career opportunities, especially for developers in rural areas or smaller cities where such prospects were once scarce.

The numbers tell a fascinating story. From 2020 to 2023, the number of South American professionals working remotely for North American companies grew by 70%. Companies like Google, Salesforce and Adobe have trusted major projects to Latin American teams, drawn by their technical expertise, geographic proximity and cultural alignment.

And we’ve only just begun. Deloitte predicts the global tech industry will need 7.1 million more skilled workers by 2034. Latin America is uniquely poised to meet this demand. According to the Inter-American Development Bank, nearshoring could boost annual exports in the region by $78 billion. That’s more than just numbers — it’s a vision for sustainable growth.

Remote work also benefits individuals and their communities. A survey by Deel found that software engineers in developing countries earn 28% more when working for international companies compared to domestic ones. These professionals gain access to cutting-edge technologies and training and bring their earnings back to local economies. Imagine a developer in a small Brazilian town earning even just a fraction of a Silicon Valley salary — and then buying a home, investing in businesses and boosting the local community.

One of the most exciting aspects of this shift is the rise of talent from non-traditional tech hubs. At BairesDev, we’ve discovered that about 40% of our hires come from rural areas or cities with populations under one million. These professionals prove that innovation and expertise are not confined to urban centres.

For US businesses, this is a game-changer. Nearshoring and e-migration don’t just fill talent gaps — they unlock new markets and foster meaningful global partnerships. For Latin American communities, it’s an opportunity to build thriving tech ecosystems that can sustain economic growth for generations.

Nearshoring and e-migration represent more than just cost-effective outsourcing. They’re reshaping the global economy, empowering first-generation Latin American tech professionals to engage in the global economy while fostering local growth. This approach also nurtures a budding tech talent ecosystem within their communities.

The next decade will be defined by cross-border collaboration and the strategic deployment of global talent. With even more investment and encouragement, we can make sure the next generation of e-migrants continues to grow. They’ll develop new skills and unlock new opportunities to boost their towns and countries. This represents a unique opportunity for growth, benefiting local communities and global businesses.