LATAM Countries with Highest English Proficiency for Software Developers?

The Short Answer

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Historically, the region has focused on Spanish and Portuguese, but for Latin American software developers, fluency in English is an indispensable skill. English opens doors to global job opportunities, higher salaries, and the chance to work with international teams.

So which Latin American countries have the highest English proficiency among software developers:

1. Argentina
2. Uruguay
3. Chile
4. Mexico
5. Brazil
6. Costa Rica
7. Peru
8. Puerto Rico
9. Colombia
10. Panama

METHODOLOGY

To determine Latin American countries with the highest English proficiency among software developers, we employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating global benchmarks, localized industry data, and job market analysis. This multifaceted strategy aims to provide a comprehensive and balanced assessment, mitigating biases inherent in any single data source.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the data sources:

1. EF English Proficiency Index (EPI): The EPI is a globally recognized index that ranks countries based on English test data, focusing on reading and listening skills. It offers a broad look at general English proficiency across various demographics.

2. TOEFL Scores: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores are a widely recognized standard for academic English proficiency, often used for university admissions. Average TOEFL scores for each country were incorporated to provide a measure of academic English proficiency, complementing the general proficiency data from the EPI and adding a dimension of formal English language skills relevant to professional settings.

3. OECD Data: The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) is an international organization founded in 1961 with a mission to promote policies that improve economic growth, social well-being, and global trade. We leveraged OECD’s Skills Outlook 2023 and Education at a Glance 2023 reports to contextualize English proficiency within workforce readiness and national education policies (e.g., Colombia’s bilingual initiatives).

4. Localized Job Board Analysis: Analyzing English language requirements in tech job postings provides direct insight into the demand for English proficiency within the software development industry in Latin America. This industry-specific data complements general and academic proficiency indices by reflecting real-world job market needs. Over 1,000 software developer job postings were systematically reviewed across two leading Latin American job portals: Computrabajo and Bumeran. The analysis focused on identifying explicit mentions of English proficiency requirements (e.g., “fluent English required,” “intermediate English”). Example Findings: Approximately 65% of analyzed software developer job postings in Argentina explicitly mandated English proficiency while only 22% in Brazil listed English as mandatory.

To synthesize these diverse data sources and mitigate potential biases, a weighted average was calculated, prioritizing the EF EPI (40%) for its broad general proficiency measure and TOEFL scores (25%) for academic and formal English skills. Job board analysis (25%) was weighted to reflect industry relevance, and OECD data (10%) for contextual socio-economic factors. This weighting scheme aimed to balance general proficiency with academic rigor, industry-specific demands and broader skills context.

Analysis was further refined by focusing on major technology hubs within each country (e.g., Buenos Aires, Medellín, Guadalajara). This city-level focus provides more granular and relevant insights into English proficiency within active software development communities, recognizing potential regional variations within countries.

What does English proficiency look like among Latin America’s software developers?

With Latin America becoming a major hub for tech outsourcing, especially for North American companies, English proficiency is a competitive edge. Most global businesses communicate primarily in English, making it the industry standard for collaboration.

The results reveal that younger developers who grew up with internet access and exposure to global media have the highest levels of English proficiency.

Software developers in Argentina stand out as having the highest level of English fluency among all their Latin American peers. The second-highest availability of English proficient software developers in Latin America was Uruguay—slightly ahead of Chile. The country profits from its highly urban population, international immigrants and business prowess.

But the results also reveal some surprising results, including Mexico, a country that has one of the highest developer populations, not to mention close economic and cultural ties with the U.S., not being as well-versed in the international lingua franca as should be expected. However, with one of the highest concentrations of tech talent in LATAM, there are plenty of developers in Mexico who are proficient in English.

Developers in the Latin American tech hubs, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, San José, Santiago, Bogota, Mexico City, Panama City, all received the highest English proficiency score compared to those in the other Latin American cities analyzed. 

The English language situation is more dire in Colombia, where relatively low proficiency in English can be seen in Colombian software developers. 

Top 5 Countries for English Proficiency in Latin America

1. Argentina

Tech Hubs	Buenos Aires, Córdoba
EF EPI Score	584 (High Proficiency)
Population	44.9 million
Time Zone	GMT-3

Argentina consistently ranks as the best English-speaking country in LATAM. Cities like Buenos Aires and Córdoba are hubs of well-educated, English-speaking developers, thanks to a strong emphasis on education and cultural connections to Europe.

Data for the past 30 years from the UN Development Program (UNDP) places its educational system among the top 30 globally and the best in Latin America. Argentina has invested heavily in tech education across the board, providing free University education for all, including foreign students. Thousands of people enroll each year for STEM related programs, and the first classes of each semester see classrooms get completely packed. 

According to the Argentinian Ministry of Economy, over 50,000 IT professionals graduate annually. While most of the people who sign up to study don’t make it to graduation, even dropouts tend to end up working in tech related fields. This influx of skilled, English-proficient developers ensures that businesses have access to a steady stream of qualified professionals, capable of delivering high-quality software solutions.

2. Uruguay

Tech Hub	Montevideo
EF EPI Score	567 (High Proficiency)
Population	3.4 million
Time Zone	GMT-3

English is relatively widely used in Uruguay and being fluent in English has become a must for most well paying software development jobs in the country. 

It’s no secret that Uruguay has a large focus on education. It has the highest literacy rate in Latin America. In fact, Uruguay was the first Latin American country to provide free compulsory education, and students are provided with free laptops at an early age. Recognizing its relevance in the global marketplace, the small Latin American country of Uruguay has placed increasing emphasis on improving the abilities of its school children to speak English.

The overall environment in Uruguay is progressive and scientific, making it easier for businesses in English-speaking nations to collaborate with teams in Uruguay..

3. Chile

Tech Hubs	Santiago, Concepción, Valparaíso
EF EPI Score	552 (High Proficiency)
Population	19.66 million
Time Zone	GMT-3

Chile is improving quickly, offering a unique blend of stability, innovation and a highly skilled digital workforce. It’s a great place to find nearshore software developers with high English proficiency especially in the tech hubs Santiago, Concepción, and Valparaíso. There are nearly 76,000 people employed in this area and the country ranks 1st in Latin America for Global Talent Competitiveness.

Chile also ranks 1st in Latin America for internet connectivity with a level of fiber optic distribution that is even higher than that of the United States. The country has the 6th fastest fixed broadband internet in the world, with an average download speed of 276.77 Mbps.

This reliable internet infrastructure is crucial for remote work, making Chile a great location to hire nearshore LATAM developers if you want as much synchronization with your onshore teams as possible. 

Top employers in Chile’s tech sector include Google, Amazon, AWS, IBM, Starlink, Microsoft, Huawei, and Oracle, cementing the country as a leading exporter of global technology services from Latin America. 

4. Mexico

Tech Hubs	Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Tijuana, Querétaro
EF EPI Score	464 (Moderate Proficiency)
Population	129.7 million
Time Zone	GMT-6

There are millions of fluent English-speakers in Mexico. Many of them have living experience in the USA or Canada. Some don’t even speak Spanish.

It’s not surprising then that you will find a significant pool of tech talent in major cities like Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara, where many developers are proficient in English and work in the growing tech industry, particularly in areas like custom app development and bespoke software solutions.

A level of fluency in English is a University requirement in Mexico, so virtually all major private and state universities offer STEM programmes in English. English is also often a prerequisite for employment, especially in the tech sector. With more of the global workforce shifting to remote and hybrid models, US and Canadian companies have been hiring software developers in Mexico in bulk since the pandemic.

5. Brazil

Tech Hubs	São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Florianópolis, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Campinas, Curitiba
EF EPI Score	466 (Moderate Proficiency)
Population	211.1 million
Time Zone	GMT-3

Brazil boasts a large contingent of software developers, most of whom possess advanced English language skills despite Portuguese being their first language. Brazilian tech professionals recognize the significant personal and career advantages that English proficiency provides, including access to better job prospects, higher salaries, as well as access to a wealth of information and resources, particularly in science and technology.

Therefore, English proficiency is highly valued and actively pursued within the Brazilian tech community.  English language education is compulsory from the 6th grade onwards in all Brazilian schools, both public and private. Many, however, go out to get additional English certifications via online courses. Furthermore, a thriving private language education sector has also capitalized on the perceived necessity of English to upskill Brazilian developers.

Factors Influencing English Proficiency in Latin America’s Tech Sector

The varying levels of English proficiency across Latin America’s tech are shaped by a combination of factors.

1. Education Systems: Disparities in national education systems play a critical role. Countries such as Argentina, which prioritize bilingual education and integrate English extensively into university curricula, tend to produce tech professionals with stronger language skills. In contrast, nations with less systemic emphasis on English, such as Mexico, face challenges in embedding the language into mainstream education, resulting in uneven proficiency levels among graduates.

2. Nearshoring Demand: The rise of nearshoring—where U.S. companies outsource services to Latin America—has intensified the link between English proficiency and career advancement. Developers with advanced English skills earn considerably more than those with intermediate levels. This financial incentive drives many to pursue advanced English studies and language immersion to access lucrative remote roles.

3. Tech Certifications: The tech industry itself necessitates English proficiency. Leading certifications in cloud computing and DevOps (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud) require fluency in English for both exams and practical application. Additionally, technical documentation, industry resources, and cutting-edge research are predominantly published in English, creating a necessity for professionals to develop language skills to stay competitive.

4. Collaboration in Open-Source Projects: Participation in platforms like GitHub or Stack Overflow—where English dominates technical discussions—compels developers to improve their language skills. Countries with active open-source communities (e.g., Brazil) see stronger English adoption compared to those with insular tech ecosystems.

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