The best countries to hire remote software developers

Talented software engineers live all over the globe. According to an Evans Data Corporation Study, there are nearly 27 million international software developers, most of whom can write code anywhere with an internet connection—no matter where an employer is headquartered. 

This means companies in Australia and elsewhere can venture beyond their local talent pools to hire remote developers abroad. The global software engineer market can offer competitive costs, round-the-clock time zone coverage, and coding expertise across multiple programming languages. Such perks are why the international IT outsourcing market in Australia is expected to rise by 10.99% (2024-2028), resulting in a market volume of USD 21.99 billion (AUD 33.29 billion) in 2028.

Not every country's tech talent is created equal. Some countries stand above the rest when it comes to their software engineers. Follow along as we highlight the top countries to find your next software engineer for your development team—and why. 

The top 10 best countries to hire software engineers

1. China

Unsurprisingly, China, a global tech giant with an extensive pool of over 7 million IT professionals, surpassed all competitors. In 2022, the ICT market in China was worth USD 544.22 billion (AUD 824.43 billion) and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.13%, reaching USD 964.47 billion (AUD 1.46 trillion) by 2027.

Chinese developers are known for being experts in data structures, mathematics, and functional programming, as well as bringing a competitive edge in innovation and scalability. Their ability to quickly adapt to emerging technologies and their experience with large-scale projects can significantly enhance the development capabilities of Australian businesses.

• Average software engineer salary:  CNY 531,341 or AUD 113,522 
• Time zones: GMT+8
• Top programming languages: Java, C++, Python

2. Ukraine

Over the last decade, Ukraine has emerged as a top choice for software development, attracting numerous Fortune 500 companies that have established their offshore development centres there. This trend continues strongly, with these corporations consistently hiring full-time software developers from Ukraine. The country’s strong IT education and resilience in the face of adversity (72.3% of employees kept working on their projects after February 2022) make it an attractive destination for software outsourcing.

Even though English isn’t Ukraine’s official language, 87% of the population speak intermediate or above English. 

• Average software engineer salary: UAH 2,080,488 or AUD 81,035
• Time zones: GMT+3
• Top programming languages: C++, Ruby, JavaScript

3. India

India is one of the world’s leading outsourcers of IT workers. The country's software market is expected to grow by 10.82% (2024-2028), resulting in a market value of USD 14.42 billion (AUD 21.83 billion) in 2028.

Hiring software developers from India is recognised for its cost-effectiveness, giving companies access to a vast talent pool at competitive rates. Their educational system, especially in STEM fields, produces many highly skilled professionals annually, ensuring a steady talent supply. Additionally, English is widely spoken and used as the primary language of communication in the professional sphere, facilitating smooth collaboration with global teams.

• Average software engineer salary: INR 800,000 or AUD 14,550
• Time zones: GMT+5:30
• Top programming languages: Python, Java, C++

4. Poland

Poland stands out in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region for having the largest developer community, with estimates suggesting around 607,000 software developers. Polish developers are highly regarded globally for their exceptional technical education and skills, making them among the most sought-after talent worldwide. Major technology firms like Google, Oracle, IBM, Apple, Uber, Amazon, and over 60,000 other tech companies, have selected this country as their preferred destination for offshoring and outsourcing software development operations.  

About a third of the population speaks English as a second language, making the Polish programming community an attractive recruiting hub for Australia, the US, the UK, Canada, and other English-speaking countries. 

• Average software engineer salary: PLN 257,837 or AUD 99,388
• Time zones: GMT+2
• Top programming languages: SQL, Java, Javascript

5. Canada

Canada boasts a robust economy, a highly skilled workforce, and cutting-edge technological infrastructure. Reflecting these strengths, Canada's software market has been on an upward trajectory, consistently expanding over recent years.

The Canadian education system, particularly in STEM fields, is globally competitive, producing highly qualified professionals adept at tackling complex technological challenges. Canada's multicultural environment also fosters a diverse talent pool, capable of bringing innovative perspectives to software development projects.

• Average software engineer salary: CAD 82,012 or AUD 91,402
• Time zones: GMT-2:30, GMT-3, GMT-4, GMT-5, GMT-6, GMT-7
• Top programming languages: Java, Python, C++

6. The Philippines

The Philippines has become a go-to Asian hub for outsourcing software engineering talent. With an offshoring history spanning three decades, approximately 4 million Filipinos have worked for international firms. The country has a $3.2 billion IT industry made up of 190,000 programmers, according to the Philippine Software Industry Association.

The nation prides itself on its robust engineering and information technology education, producing tens of thousands of graduates annually. Filipino software engineers are among the most cost-effective in the Asia-Pacific, offering competitive rates that appeal to global companies seeking quality development work. Additionally, its geographical proximity to Australia and similar time zones streamline collaboration and communication between Filipino software engineers and Australian companies, enhancing project efficiency and reducing turnaround times.

• Average software engineer salary: PHP 696,000 or AUD 18,657
• Time zones: GMT+8
• Top programming languages: Python, Java, JavaScript, C and Ruby

7. Russia

Russia leads globally in the percentage of its population with university degrees, a statistic that extends to its software engineers. Approximately 70% of Russian developers have received a college education, underscoring the country's emphasis on higher learning in the tech field.

In Russia, approximately 40% of software engineers specialise as full-stack developers. Meanwhile, 20% excel in backend development, and 12% are dedicated to both frontend and mobile development, showcasing a diverse skill set in the tech community.

• Average software engineer salary:  RUB 3,530,214 or AUD 57,692
• Time zones: GMT+2, GMT+3, GMT+4, GMT+7, GMT+8, GMT+9, GMT+10, GMT+11, GMT+12
• Top programming languages: Java, Python

8. Malaysia

The Software market in Malaysia has been growing steadily in recent years. Agencies like the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) are also actively enhancing the outsourcing industry with financial incentives, infrastructure improvements, and specialised training programs.

Australian companies stand to gain significantly by hiring software developers from Malaysia, thanks to a highly versatile talent pool. Malaysia's tech ecosystem is committed to ongoing technical skill development, from academia to professional industry experience. This ensures developers are well-versed in various technologies, from legacy systems to advanced machine learning. The focus on continuous learning fosters a talent pool that's broad and deeply skilled in current and emerging technologies, making Malaysian developers well-equipped to tackle diverse software challenges.

• Average software engineer salary: MYR 49,386 or AUD 16,039
• Time zones: GMT+8
• Top programming languages: Python, C

9. The Czech Republic

The Czech Republic ranks as a prime IT outsourcing hub in Europe, favoured for software development due to the optimal balance of high-quality services and cost-effectiveness. This combination makes it a sought-after location for businesses looking to maximise value.

The growth rate of the IT industry in the Czech Republic is anticipated to hit 7.83% between 2023 and 2028, underscoring the nation's dynamic tech development progression. Czech programmers achieved an impressive 9th place at the World Programming Olympiad, showcasing their coding prowess. Additionally, Brno, recognised as the country's largest tech epicentre, annually produces over 15,000 graduates in STEM fields, contributing significantly to the vibrant tech ecosystem in the Czech Republic.

• Average software engineer salary: CZK 1,403,983 or AUD 91,037
• Time zones: GMT+2
• Top programming languages: Java, PHP, C

10. Romania

Hiring software developers from Romania is increasingly becoming a strategic move for Australian businesses looking to outsource IT. With an IT outsourcing market projected to hit USD 415.20 million (AUD 628.68 million) in 2024, Romania boasts a robust tech ecosystem. The country's appeal as an offshore location for business services is high, considering its blend of competitive labour and infrastructure costs, skilled workforce, and high-quality service standards.

With over 202,000 developers, Romania is a hub for solving complex tech challenges, offering experienced professionals adept in the latest technological advancements.

• Average software engineer salary: RON 188,400 or AUD 62,321
• Time zones: GMT+3
• Top programming languages: JavaScript, NodeJS, .NET

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

Hiring remote software developers across the globe with Ripping

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Just click 'hire' and Rippling can support your global workforce right out of the box:

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Catch Rippling in action and learn how Rippling EOR can monitor the tangled web of global termination requirements—so you don’t have to. 

Disclaimer: Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.