Global demand for programmers continues to accelerate, and with it, interest from Brazilian developers is growing. According to proprietary research by TechFXA specialized exchange platform for Brazilian professionals receiving income from abroad shows that the United States leads the list of nations that most absorb talent, concentrating 85% of the vacancies. 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 reveals that Canada and Australia are tied for second place, each with 1.85%. Other prominent markets include the United Kingdom (1.85%), Argentina (1.55%), Portugal (1.16%), Mexico (1%), and Germany (0.62%).
"Brazilian professionals, on average, combine strong technical training with creativity and adaptability, a rare and highly valued combination by foreign companies," notes TechFX CEO Eduardo Garay. "Furthermore, international companies often offer salaries up to four times higher than those practiced in Brazil, making these positions even more attractive, especially for self-employed professionals," he adds.
The prominence of Brazilian developers in the international market reflects the high density of programmers in the country. According to JetBrains, a software development company, the world today has over 19.6 million developers. With approximately 630,000 devs, Brazil ranks fifth in the absolute number of specialists.
National developer migration to global opportunities is increasing.
Despite the large number of developers, Brazil is estimated to face a 500,000-person IT talent deficit today. One of the main factors behind this imbalance is the growing appreciation of Brazilian professionals by foreign companies. Between 2020 and 2023, the recruitment of technology professionals in the country by international organizations soared 491%, according to the Brazilian Global Salary, a study conducted in late 2024 also by TechFX. **Note:** The term "491%" is nonsensical and likely a typo or a corrupted input. It should be replaced with a proper percentage or numeric increase value. The translation assumes that the original meant a significant increase in recruitment.
The survey, which interviewed 1,611 Brazilians between November and December of last year, reveals that 731 of them consider working abroad. In line with this interest, the global demand for Brazilian programmers is growing, on average, by 401% per year.
The combination of technical excellence and the drive to stand out on the global stage is making Brazilians increasingly sought after. With the devaluation of the local currency, it's natural that many are seeking opportunities in more competitive markets with better compensation," 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 looking at where the largest concentrations of developers are globally. These markets typically offer more opportunities, robust infrastructure, and maturity for remote or international work. Unsurprisingly, this 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 the JetBrains study:
China
With 3.885 million developers, China 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. However, its market is not widely open to foreign labor, limiting access to opportunities for developers outside of China.
United States
In second place, the USA boasts 2,918,000 developers and maintains an active policy of international hiring: approximately 200,000 IT professionals are admitted annually, originating from various regions of the world. The average salary is US$110,140 per year, making it the top destination for Brazilian professionals seeking higher income.
Germany
With over 832,000 developers, Germany consolidates its position as the largest technology hub in continental Europe. The average annual salary hovers around US$52,275, and the country maintains special entry programs for young Brazilian professionals, such as [the program name should be included here]. Working Holiday Visawhich facilitates the international mobility of specialists in the area.
Canada
The Canadian market boasts 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 stands among the most viable destinations for Brazilians looking to work abroad.
United Kingdom
With approximately 500,000 developers, the UK stands out for its strong technological concentration in London, which emerges as one of Europe's leading innovation hubs. The average developer salary is around US$55,275 per year. While the country represents a smaller portion of global hiring for Brazilians, it remains a strategic option for those seeking to establish themselves in a mature ecosystem.
Ah, a dor de cotovelo brasileira! Fico rindo ao ver que, apesar de termos mais desenvolvedores que o do Paraguai (e a China ter mais que o dobro de todos nós), a gente tá com o déficit de talentos. A culpa? As empresas estrangeiras descobrindo que o brasileiro é bom e barato (por causa da moeda, né?). É um drama! Mas eita, quem não quer ir para os EUA ou Alemanha buscar o olhar de tigre e salários que nem compensam o fuso horário? As pessoas querem se destacar, e a motivação é pura. Se for meu lugar, preciso de um Working Holiday pra ir lá e mostrar pra eles como a gente faz!