The US’s booming Spanish-speaking population, expected to be the largest in the world by 2050, is creating massive demand for bilingual talent. What does this mean for US neighbors that use Spanish, like Costa Rica? Before answering that question, it’s crucial to highlight a few important US dynamics.
Why demand for bilingual talent is increasing
Many companies targeting the growing Hispanic market are terribly in need of
English-Spanish-speaking teams. Why? Because, among other reasons, 76% of people prefer to be served in their own language. But here is an even more interesting statistic: one in four US employers lose business because their teams lack language skills. Having bilingual talent may have been a luxury in the past, but now, it’s essential for survival.
There is a reason companies that serve Hispanic clientele want bilingual talent instead of someone who just speaks Spanish. The talent needs to bridge two worlds: the client’s preferred language, which is Spanish, and the company’s operating language, English.
In 2022, a study by Preply, one of the largest language learning platforms in the world, found that of the 750,000 American jobs seeking bilingual talent, more than 152,000 sought Spanish speakers. Given continued growth in the Hispanic market, demand for English-Spanish professionals is likely to have increased since the study.
A double-edged sword
The rising demand for English-Spanish talent in the US presents a unique opportunity for Costa Rica. It can help address this need by providing bilingual teams. The country has been grooming dual-language talent for years. It now has the best English skills in Central America, thanks to several state initiatives. In 2018, the government launched the Alliance for Bilingualism (ABI), a program aimed at dramatically increasing English instruction. This was followed by an action plan to graduate bilingual high school students by 2040, which was launched in 2021.
More recently, the President of Costa Rica, Laura Fernández Delgado, committed to supporting multilingual education. By promoting widespread English learning, the government has been
setting citizens up for success on the global job market, effectively positioning them to benefit from the bilingual jobs boom in the US. But this is a double-edged sword.
A citizenry proficient in English and Spanish may be tempted to seek jobs abroad, especially if they are not easily available locally. This could result in brain drain. To avoid this, the government must continue investing in the outsourcing sector and ensure the country offers an enabling environment for remote work. That way, instead of migrating to the US for employment, multilingual job seekers can deliver services remotely while based in Costa Rica.
Opportunities for remote work
According to a recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one-third of employees in the US work from home. This shows the scale at which jobs in the US are now being done remotely, which works in Costa Rica’s favor. Widespread adoption of remote work has made employers far more comfortable hiring talent outside their immediate geographic area, including internationally.
Another factor that works in Costa Rica’s favor is this: many of the fastest-growing
English-Spanish roles are already performed remotely. These include customer support, patient coordination, scheduling, sales support, and virtual administration functions.
Costa Rica has invested heavily in teaching English, and continues to do so. The next challenge is ensuring those language skills create jobs at home instead of exporting talent abroad. One of the best ways to do this is through remote work for companies in the US.
Bio
JW is a global leader transforming the way the world views work. As the visionary of Zimworx — an Inc. 5000 company with over 1,800 team members across four continents — he oversees five operational centers, including one in Costa Rica.
JW blends high-performance business instincts with faith-driven philanthropy, donating 51% of all profits to ministries and charities around the globe.
Beyond the boardroom, JW is an adventurer and endurance enthusiast who has trekked to Everest Base Camp and Machu Picchu. He is a pilot, a podcast host, and a serial entrepreneur.
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