Global demand for programmers continues to accelerate, and with it, interest from Brazilian developers is growing. According to proprietary research by TechFX , a foreign exchange platform specializing in Brazilian professionals earning money abroad, the United States leads by a wide margin the list of nations that absorb the most talent, concentrating 85% of the job openings. Of the 1,428 Brazilian developers working abroad who were interviewed, 1,220 work for American organizations, with average salaries reaching US$110,000 annually.
The study also points out that Canada and Australia are tied for second place, with only 1.85% each. Other prominent markets are the United Kingdom (1.85%), Argentina (1.55%), Portugal (1.16%), Mexico (1%) and Germany (0.62%).
“The average Brazilian professional combines solid technical training with creativity and adaptability, a rare combination highly valued by foreign companies,” emphasizes Eduardo Garay, CEO of TechFX. “Furthermore, international companies often offer salaries up to four times higher than those in Brazil, making these positions even more attractive, especially for freelancers,” he adds.
The prominent presence of Brazilians in the international market reflects the high density of programmers in the country itself. According to data from JetBrains, a company specializing in software development, the world now has more than 19.6 million developers. With approximately 630,000 developers, Brazil ranks fifth in absolute number of specialists.
There is a growing migration of domestic developers to global opportunities.
Despite the large number of developers, it is estimated that Brazil currently faces a deficit of 500,000 IT talents. One of the main factors behind this imbalance is the increasing value placed on Brazilians by foreign companies. Between 2020 and 2023, the hiring of Brazilian technology professionals by international organizations skyrocketed by 491%, according to the Brazilian Global Salary study, also conducted by TechFX at the end of 2024.
The survey, which polled 1,611 Brazilians between November and December of last year, reveals that 73% of them are considering working abroad. In line with this interest, the global demand for Brazilian programmers is growing by an average of 40% per year.
“The combination of technical excellence with the motivation to excel on the global stage makes Brazilians increasingly sought after. With the devaluation of the local currency, it is natural that many seek opportunities in more competitive markets with better remuneration,” concludes the CEO of TechFX.
Most searched destinations by developers
If the goal is to find the best destinations to apply your talents, it's worth observing where the largest concentrations of developers are in the world. These markets tend to offer more opportunities, solid infrastructure, and maturity for remote or international work. Not surprisingly, the list closely resembles the destinations most chosen by Brazilians working abroad.
Below are the countries with the highest number of developers in the world, according to a study by JetBrains:
China,
with 3,885,000 developers, leads in absolute numbers and has a software market valued at US$2 trillion. The country is a benchmark in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Even so, its market is not widely open to foreign labor, which limits access to opportunities for developers from outside Chinese territory.
United States
: In second place, the US has 2,918,000 developers and maintains an active international hiring policy: around 200,000 IT professionals are hired annually, coming from different regions of the world. The average salary is US$110,140 per year, making the country the main destination for Brazilians seeking higher income.
Germany:
With over 832,000 developers, Germany is establishing itself as the largest technology hub in continental Europe. The average annual salary is around US$52,275, and the country maintains special entry programs for young Brazilians, such as the Working Holiday Visa , which facilitates the international mobility of specialists in the field.
Canada:
The Canadian market has over 632,000 developers and approximately 80,000 open positions currently. The average annual salary is US$61,680. With more flexible immigration policies and initiatives aimed at attracting foreign talent, the country is among the most viable destinations for Brazilians who wish to work outside of Brazil.
United Kingdom:
With approximately 500,000 developers, the United Kingdom stands out for its strong technological concentration in London, which is emerging as one of the main innovation hubs in Europe. The average salary for a developer is around US$55,275 per year. Although the country represents a smaller share of global hiring of Brazilians, it remains a strategic option for those seeking to establish themselves in a mature ecosystem.
Ah, Brazilian sour grapes! I laugh when I see that, despite having more developers than Paraguay (and China having more than double the number of all of us), we have a talent deficit. The reason? Foreign companies discovering that Brazilians are good and cheap (because of the currency, right?). It's a drama! But hey, who doesn't want to go to the US or Germany to find that tiger-like gaze and salaries that don't even compensate for the time difference? People want to stand out, and the motivation is pure. If I were in your place, I'd need a Working Holiday to go there and show them how we do it!