Welcome to RemoLabs! This content is part of the RemoFirst research reports series that takes a look at data and third-party market research in global hiring, remote work, and the future of work. Our findings are a combination of anonymized customer hiring trends and data, surveys, polls, and other expert insights. 

At RemoFirst, we work with companies based all over the world. From startups to companies with thousands of employees. 

And many of these companies are expanding their global footprint and diversifying their talent pool — even if they don’t have a physical entity in a different market. 

So, where were the hot hiring markets last year? Let’s dive in! 

Top Countries Where Our Customers Focused Their Hiring Efforts in 2024

We analyzed hiring trends across thousands of our customers to uncover where their global employment priorities were focused in 2024 (and now leading into the new year). 

There were a few countries we were pleasantly surprised to see end up in the top spots. Not because those regions lack talent, but because you often anecdotally only hear about select locations where businesses focus their hiring efforts. 

It’s encouraging to see more countries benefiting from companies embracing a “borderless” approach to hiring.

Here’s the country breakdown:

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Here’s the region breakdown of the top 10:

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Our customers hired across more than a hundred countries in 2024, but the ones highlighted above were the most prominent countries and regions.

We were surprised to see that no countries from Latin America made it into the top ten this year. Those countries are booming with talent and many businesses are on the hunt for new employees or contractors in that region.

So why aren’t they in our top ten, you ask?

The absence of LATAM countries in the top ten list largely depended on the specific job fields and regions where our customers focused their expansion efforts

However, the amazing talent in countries like Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and the many other countries that make up the LATAM region should certainly be on your radar as you expand your search for global hires. 

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Interestingly, EMEA emerged as a key region where our customers were actively seeking talent. We knew many of these countries were top-of-mind for many businesses, but did not expect it to dominate the year! 

And early data for 2025 suggests that EMEA will remain a strong region for sourcing talent. If your company is expanding and seeking to add to your team, many European countries present excellent options for your recruiting efforts.

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Why Are More Businesses Expanding Their Talent Pool Globally?

Before we wrap this up, I think it’s helpful to get some context as to why companies are going global when it comes to finding talent. 

Remember, most businesses are still employing people in their local markets as well. 

But, as these companies grow and work to fill employment gaps, many are realizing the sheer amount of diverse and highly educated individuals available globally.

A few common reasons to expand the talent search into other markets: 

• Faster adoption and acceptance into new international markets that allows your company to gain a competitive advantage.
• Accelerates company valuation and diversifies your revenue streams from new markets.
• Ability to have coverage around the clock as employees or contractors are based in different time zones.
• Provides more freedom for employees to live and work where they deliver their best results. This reduces turnover and also leads to higher productivity.

But there is another looming reason – local talent shortages. 

Latest Labor Shortage Trends & Statistics

While in the last few years there have been plenty of layoffs (primarily in the tech industry) and more people back on the job market, there is also a general consensus among companies that they can’t fill vacancies. 

There is quite a bit of additional data and research around the global labor shortage. We’ve included a few data points below. 

• According to ManpowerGroup, three-quarters (75%) of employers are struggling to fill job vacancies — that’s the second-highest figure on record since the company began conducting surveys in 2006. And the number of employers reporting labor shortages has almost doubled since 2015 (38%).

• By 2030, it’s predicted that there will be a global talent shortage of around 85 million people, resulting in revenue losses of approximately $8.5 trillion. Korn Ferry

• Research and data analyzed by Exploding Topics examined countries with the highest number of occupations facing labor shortages. The top five countries were the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Romania, and France. 

This is a major reason companies are looking beyond their local markets for skilled full-time employees and contractors. This includes offering remote work opportunities or expanding offices globally to address labor shortages.

Fortunately with technology and solutions like RemoFirst, global employment, payroll, and compliance is much simpler and efficient than ever. 

About This Data

Our data is anonymized from customer insights and trends of what local markets they are and/or have been focused on hiring in. While this does not cover a massive sample, this is collected among thousands of companies globally who are finding and open to talent based in countries around the world.