The best countries to hire remote freelance writers

In an increasingly connected, digital world, geographic boundaries are no longer a limit for businesses looking to tap into a diverse, global talent pool. And when it comes to hiring freelance writers, looking around the globe gives you the chance to harness a wealth of expertise outside Australia's borders.

There are many reasons to hire international freelance writers: more competitive costs due to global variations in the cost of living and pay rates, round-the-clock productivity thanks to time zone differences, and unique and diverse perspectives that foreign writers can bring to the table. By embracing the global freelance writing market, companies can become more versatile and culturally rich—all while embracing the new normal of remote work in the digital era.

But what are the best countries for hiring freelance writers? Where should businesses begin their search, and how can they connect with the most qualified writers for their needs? Whether you're looking for content writers, SEO experts, technical writers, or social media wordsmiths, the nine countries listed below each offer a diverse and talented workforce that can meet your needs.

But first, how to connect with highly skilled freelance writers in foreign countries. Let's get started.

How to find remote freelance writers around the world

No matter where in the world you look to hire freelance writers, connecting with the most talented freelancers can be a challenge. It's particularly important to vet freelance writers so you can ensure they're able to deliver high-quality content, nail your company's brand voice, and meet deadlines.

Here are some tips for finding the best freelance writers around the world:

• Determine your needs. Do you need a full-time or part-time writer? Are you looking for content writing, like insightful blog posts and articles, or copywriting, like persuasive, sales-driven website copy? Knowing exactly what you need will help you narrow your search—especially if you can find local hiring resources specific to the type of writer you're looking for.

• Explore freelance websites and writing job boards. Global marketplaces like Upwork, Freelancer, and ProBlogger can be good places to start, and they offer job postings for all levels of expertise, from beginners to seasoned professionals. Just look out for content mills—while they can offer volume, they're often not the best source for high-quality, specialised writing.

• Utilise LinkedIn. LinkedIn can be a powerful tool to find freelance writers. You can post a job listing or directly search for writers in your industry.

• Request writing samples. Regardless of where you find your writer, always ask for writing samples. This gives you an insight into their style, quality, and versatility.

• Pay attention to reviews and ratings. On freelance websites, reviews and ratings from previous clients can provide valuable insight into a writer's reliability and skill level.

• Partner with co-working spaces. Co-working spaces, especially in cities known for their creative industries, are often filled with freelancers. Virtual co-working spaces, which have gained popularity since the pandemic, can also be a good resource.

• Tap into translator networks. If you're producing content in multiple languages, consider tapping into networks of professional translators. They understand language nuances and cultural context, which is crucial for localised content.

Remember, hiring freelance writers from around the world isn’t just about filling a role—it's about finding a partner who'll help convey your brand story compellingly and effectively. With that in mind, let's look at the nine best countries for hiring freelance writers.

The top 9 best countries to hire freelance writers

1. India

India is home to the second fastest-growing freelance market in the world, with more than 15 million freelancers currently in the country. Freelancers are expected to make up 50% of the nation's workforce by 2025. Indian workers are also incredibly active on freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork—14.6% of Upwork's global revenue was generated by freelancers with Indian billing addresses in 2020.

Because of that growth (and a constant demand for freelance writers), many young people in India are embracing freelance careers—60% of Indian freelancers are under 30 years old. And because much of the demand for freelance writers comes from Australian companies, Indians are embracing learning English in order to hone their craft. India may now be the world's second-largest English-speaking country—some estimates put the rate of English speakers over 10%.

• Average hourly pay for freelance writers: INR 403.37/hour or AUD 7.36/hour
• Time zones: GMT+5:30
• Official languages: Hindi, English

2. South Africa

Hiring freelance writers from South Africa offers Australian businesses a vibrant pool of talent from a country with a strong freelancing industry in media and communications. Known for high English proficiency and cultural adaptability, these writers are well-versed in various styles, thanks to South Africa's globally recognised education system.

The time zone overlap facilitates smooth collaboration, enhances content quality, and efficiently meets deadlines. This makes South African writers a strategic asset for Australian enterprises aiming to broaden their content scope and engage more effectively.

• Average hourly pay for freelance writers: R 152.60/hour or AUD 12.46/hour
• Time zones: GMT+2
• Official languages: English, Afrikaans and nine others

3. New Zealand

Nearly 144,000 New Zealanders work as self-employed contractors. New Zealand's high English proficiency and strong educational foundation make its freelance writers excellent collaborators for Australian businesses. The cultural similarities and shared time zones facilitate seamless communication and workflow, ensuring that content not only resonates with audiences but is also delivered efficiently.

New Zealand's reputation for creativity and innovation in the arts and media further ensures that Australian businesses can expect unique and engaging content.

• Average hourly pay for freelance writers: NZD 36.39/hour or AUD 33.63/hour
• Time zones: GMT+12, GMT+12:45
• Official languages: English, Māori

4. Singapore

Hiring freelance writers from Singapore offers Australian businesses a gateway to unparalleled linguistic precision and a global perspective. Singapore's exceptional education system, ranked among the top globally, produces writers proficient in English and versed in international commerce and technology trends. This background ensures content that's not only well written but also globally relevant.

Moreover, Singapore's strategic position in Southeast Asia and its multicultural environment equip writers with a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultural insights, enhancing the depth and appeal of written content for diverse audiences.

• Average hourly pay for freelance writers: SGD 20.00/hour or AUD 22.52/hour
• Time zones: GMT+8
• Official languages: English, Malay, Tamil, Singaporean Mandarin

5. Spain

According to Statista, close to 3.2 million autónomos (freelancers) currently work in Spain, making up 16% of the total population. This makes the Spanish freelance market a rapidly growing one. Some of that growth can be attributed to foreign workers moving to Spain—approximately 2.0 million foreign workers (many entrepreneurs running startups and small businesses) were living in Spain in 2023. 

Spanish writers are a great choice for global businesses for several reasons. First, freelancers from Spain are often very well-educated. Another important consideration is that Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world. Writers who can produce quality content in Spanish are highly sought after by many global businesses.

• Average hourly pay for freelance writers: EUR 21.00/hour or AUD 34.53/hour
• Time zones: GMT+2
• Official languages: Spanish

6. United Kingdom

As of 2024, there are 7.4 million people freelancing in the United Kingdom (UK). Engaging freelance writers from the UK offers Australian businesses high-quality writing skills and access to professionals with a deep understanding of SEO and digital marketing trends prevalent in English-speaking markets.

The UK's global business acumen and familiarity with both European and American markets make them ideal for creating content that appeals to a broad audience. Their ability to develop narratives that engage and convert, backed by a strong grasp of the nuances of the English language, sets them apart.

• Average hourly pay for freelance writers: GBP 17.43/hour or AUD 33.42/hour
• Time zones: GMT+1
• Official languages: English

7. Philippines

A staggering 60% of the world's freelance market calls the Philippines home, and it's no wonder why—the low cost of living means Filipino freelancers can find ample job opportunities that provide them with a living wage. The freelance industry in the Philippines is enjoying steady growth—Upwork reports that in 2020, workers based in the Philippines generated over 12.41% of its total platform revenue. 

The Philippines is a particularly popular place for Australian companies to find freelancers for writing gigs because it's the third-largest English-speaking country in the world, with over 95% of the adult population proficient in English. Because international freelancing can be so lucrative, many Filipino workers specifically learn skills (like English proficiency) that'll help them land freelance roles with global companies.

• Average hourly pay for freelance writers: PHP 312/hour or AUD 8.55/hour
• Time zones: GMT+8
• Official languages: Filipino, English

8. Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has consistently ranked well on Expat Insider's list of best places to start a freelance career. But while the country is home to many foreigners and digital nomads who work in online writing and other freelance roles, many native Czechs are also successful freelancers.

Around 15% of the country's population is self-employed, and nearly half of the people who live in the Czech Republic speak a foreign language, making it easier for many to seek out international clients.

• Average hourly pay for freelance writers: CZK 311.33/hour or AUD 20.39/hour
• Time zones: GMT+2
• Official languages: Czech

9. Canada

Hiring freelance writers from Canada can be beneficial for Australian businesses because of Canada's significant self-employed population, which is deeply embedded in the gig economy, indicating a robust freelance market.

Canadian freelancers are known for their high English proficiency. Canadian English spelling closely aligns with UK English spelling, as used in Australia, offering consistency in tone and style preferred by businesses targeting UK English-speaking audiences. This linguistic similarity, combined with Canada's diverse talent pool, makes Canadian freelance writers a versatile choice for creating content that resonates with a wide demographic.

• Average hourly pay for freelance writers: CAD 24.66/hour or AUD 27.55/hour
• Time zones: GMT-2:30, GMT-3, GMT-4, GMT-5, GMT-6, GMT-7
• Official languages: English, French

*Note: Salary data is gathered from Glassdoor and PayScale. Exact values vary depending on updated currency exchange rates, seniority levels, and geographical location within each country. 

Rippling makes it easy to hire freelance writers around the globe

No matter where your employees and contractors live, Ripplings streamlines their entire lifecycle—from onboarding to offboarding—globally, and all in one place.

Rippling supports your global workforce right out of the box. All you have to do is click 'hire,' and Rippling handles the rest:

• Setting up localised employment or contractor agreements.
• Paying employees and contractors around the world—without waiting on bank transfers or currency conversions.
• Keeping you compliant with local labour and employment laws surrounding overtime, leave, termination requirements, and more.

Ready to see how Rippling EOR can help manage your entire global workforce, all in one place?