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.

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Global hiring isn’t just for enterprise companies anymore. 

In 2024, 71% of our customers were businesses with fewer than 100 employees. And that customer segment was the fastest-growing in global hiring we’ve seen since launching RemoFirst in 2021. 

So, why have small businesses and startups become a hot sector for hiring global talent? Because it’s never been easier to:

• Access top talent worldwide
• Test remote work models
• Expand globally sooner

Global hiring was once limited to billion-dollar enterprises, but now it's a game-changer for startups and growing businesses. These small, but growing businesses now have access to lower compliance costs, more hiring flexibility, and the ability to drive faster innovation.

That’s why we analyzed which countries’ small businesses expanded their talent pool the most. Here’s what we discovered — and why we think these countries should be on your radar for sourcing top global talent.

Note: The countries on this list represent a diverse mix of locations that have seen growing interest from our customers. Some include emerging talent hubs you may not have previously considered.If you are looking for more insights, check out our 10 Best Countries to Find Global Talent report. 

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1. France

France is known for medieval cities, Mediterranean beaches, its unique history, and some amazing food. But it’s also one of the top locations where small businesses and startups are recruiting top talent. 

Here’s a few reasons why small businesses are hiring in France: 

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• Access to a highly skilled workforce: France's robust education system produces professionals with strong expertise in the engineering, technology, and business sectors. The country is consistently recognized for having one of the best education systems in the world, frequently landing in the top 25.
  
  
  
• Innovative ecosystem: France has a vibrant startup culture, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. According to the Europe Startups Nation Alliance (ESNA), France ranks number 1 in their 2024 Startup Nations Standard Report and France is also the European leader in public policies in favor of innovation.In 2022, French technology companies raised  EUR 13.5 billion, putting them in first place in the European Union (according to the 2022 EY report).
  
  
• Strategic location: Located in Western Europe, France offers businesses prime access to European markets while also serving as a gateway to neighboring regions — perfect if your business is looking to test new international markets.
  
  
  
• Comprehensive labor protections: France's comprehensive labor laws protect employee rights and benefits, contributing to higher job satisfaction and productivity. Companies must be mindful of maintaining compliance with these local laws to avoid potential penalties. 

2. Netherlands

The Netherlands landing in one of the top hiring spots was a surprise discovery for us at RemoFirst. 

After reviewing our data, we discovered that the Netherlands ranked among the top 10 countries where our customers hired the most throughout 2024. Without sifting through that intel, we would not have guessed that the Netherlands would rank that high. 

Even though it was in our list of most popular countries for hiring, we’ve included it here because the country is experiencing a massive rise of interest among startups and small businesses. 

Here’s a few reasons why smaller companies are hiring in the Netherlands:

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• Access to a highly skilled and diverse workforce: The Netherlands is attractive to highly skilled professionals interested in tech, and startups boasts a rich pool of professionals with diverse expertise. This makes the country an appealing choice for startups seeking top talent.
  
  
  
• Proficiency in English and digital skills: The Dutch are renowned for their English proficiency, ranking as the best non-native English speakers globally. Additionally, a significant portion of the population possesses advanced digital skills, facilitating seamless communication and technological integration. Learn more about hiring in the Netherlands.
  
  

• Supportive startup ecosystem: The Dutch government actively fosters a culture of innovation and risk-taking, creating an appealing environment for startups to attract and retain top-notch talent. In fact, the Netherlands' tech scene, valued at EUR 232 billion, is Europe's third-largest startup ecosystem which is mainly driven by Amsterdam's 65% share of venture-backed startups.

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• Strategic location within the European Union: Because of its location, the Netherlands offers small businesses access to a vast talent pool from all EU member states, enhancing recruitment opportunities and global market reach.

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• Enhanced digital infrastructure: The Netherlands' advanced digital infrastructure enables efficient remote and hybrid work opportunities, helping businesses attract top talent seeking flexibility.

3. Colombia

Latin American countries are experiencing a significant boom in global employment thanks to a growing tech sector and lower cost of living. Yet, Colombia has quickly emerged as a standout location for small businesses to find great talent.

Here’s a few reasons why smaller companies are hiring in Colombia: 

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• Cost-effective labor: Colombia provides access to highly skilled professionals at competitive rates, enabling businesses to optimize labor costs without compromising quality. For startups and small businesses looking to grow while optimizing their capital, Colombia offers solid opportunities.
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• Time zone alignment: Colombia's location provides overlapping working hours with North American companies, enabling real-time collaboration and smoother communication.

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• Growing tech ecosystem: The country's tech sector is experiencing significant growth, with cities like Medellín emerging as innovation hubs and selected as one of Latin America’s most innovative cities worldwide.

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• Large and educated workforce: Colombia boasts the third-largest labor force in Latin America. A strong emphasis on higher education provides companies with a vast pool of qualified candidates. Many professionals hold degrees in fields such as engineering, finance, technology/IT, and healthcare. Plus, the education systems focus on producing graduates with strong analytical, technical, and language skills.
  
  
  
• Government support for innovation: The Colombian government actively promotes innovation and entrepreneurship, creating a supportive environment for businesses and startups.

4. Mexico 

Mexico has a rich heritage and culture that makes this country attractive for diverse talent. And it can also help small businesses expand their global reach more quickly while keeping operations cost-effective.

Here’s a few reasons why smaller companies are hiring in Mexico: 

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• Cost-effective labor: Mexico provides access to a skilled workforce at competitive rates, allowing businesses to optimize labor costs without compromising quality — making it an ideal choice for startups and small businesses on tighter budgets.
  
  

• Proximity and time zone alignment: Similar to Colombia, Mexico's geographical location ensures overlapping working hours with U.S. based teams and customers — ensuring better communication and providing strong customer support.

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• Large and educated workforce: With a population exceeding 130 million, Mexico offers a diverse talent pool suitable for various business roles, from entry-level to management positions.
  
  

• Robust digital infrastructure: Mexico's growing tech sector, particularly in fintech, has cultivated a workforce with extensive experience in developing and managing tech and engineering products. Key cities of talent include Mexico City, Guadalajara (known as the “Silicon Valley of Mexico”), and Monterrey. 

5. Australia

Rounding out the top five countries experiencing the most hiring growth from small businesses is Australia! 

This is another country we wouldn't have expected to see such a significant increase in interest. But after diving into more details about the country, it starts to make more sense. 

Here’s a few reasons why smaller companies are hiring in Australia: 

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• Highly skilled workforce: Australia boasts a diverse and educated talent pool and a strong education system. For example, Australia is known for its high percentage of graduates in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). In fact, census data shows Australia has nearly half a million people with an information technology qualification.
  
  

• Stable political and economic environment: Australia's stable political climate and economy make it an appealing choice for companies seeking to expand business operations and the talent pool. While the economy experienced slower growth in 2024, the GDP is expected to be AUD 1.88 trillion in 2025 with inflation recovery.
  
  

• Strategic time zone advantage: Australia's time zone overlaps with major markets in Asia and aligns with early or late hours in the U.S. and Europe, which facilitates real-time collaboration across continents. Plus, it facilitates a constant flow of work happening around the clock.
  
  

• Strong work ethic and cultural compatibility: Australian professionals are known for their strong work ethic and adaptability, making them well-suited for integration into diverse business cultures. Learn more about the Australian work culture.
  
  

• Government support and infrastructure: The Australian government offers various incentives and maintains robust infrastructure to support business innovation and expansion, benefiting startups and small enterprises.

RemoFirst Simplifies Global Employment 

Ready to employ talent in one of these rapidly growing five countries? We’ve got you covered. 

With RemoFirst, startups and small businesses can legally and affordably employ talent in 185+ countries and manage and pay contractors in 150+ locations. 

Our all-in-one platform handles everything from background checks to payroll and benefits, so you can concentrate on scaling your operations instead of navigating complex labor laws.

Even better, our transparent pricing for EOR services starts at $199 per employee per month, $25 per contractor per month, and includes a free tier for managing contractors — because international growth shouldn't mean breaking the bank. 

Schedule a demo to see for yourself how effortlessly your global employment can unfold.

About This Data

Any of our data used 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 always cover a massive sample, any data collected is among thousands of companies globally who are finding and open to talent based in countries around the world.