# Latin America vs the Philippines vs India for remote hiring (2026): time zones, English and cost

For a US team that needs people online during US business hours, Latin America wins on time zones: Mexico City, Bogotá, São Paulo and Buenos Aires are within two hours of New York, while a 9-to-5 Eastern day falls overnight in Manila and Kolkata. English is close at the top, with Argentina at 575 and the Philippines at 569 on the EF EPI 2025. Average incomes are lower in the Philippines and India.

By Nick Gomez, COO at Nearshorers. Updated 2026-11-02; figures checked 2026-11-02. Web page: https://nearshorers.com/compare/latin-america-vs-philippines-vs-india

## At a glance

- **Hours ahead of New York, November to March:** Mexico City −1, Bogotá 0, São Paulo and Buenos Aires +2, Kolkata +10.5, Manila +13 [1]
- **Best English score in the comparison:** Argentina 575 (#26 of 123), then the Philippines 569 (#28) [2][3]
- **Lowest English score in the comparison:** Mexico 440 (#103 of 123) [4]
- **GDP per capita, 2025:** India $2,702 · Philippines $4,171 · Colombia $8,562 · Brazil $10,713 · Mexico $13,889 · Argentina $14,898 [5]
- **Night-work premium in the Philippines:** At least 10% of the regular wage for each hour between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. [6]
- **US tax on pay for work done in any of the six:** None: it is foreign-source income [7]

## Which region overlaps best with US business hours?

Latin America, by a wide margin. The four Latin American hubs in this comparison sit between one hour behind and two hours ahead of New York, so a hire works your hours in their own daytime. Manila is 12 to 13 hours ahead and Kolkata 9.5 to 10.5, so covering a US workday there means working through the night.[1]

| City | UTC offset | Local time for a 9 a.m.–5 p.m. New York day, November to March | Same day, March to November |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | UTC−6 | 8 a.m.–4 p.m. | 7 a.m.–3 p.m. |
| Bogotá | UTC−5 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | 8 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| São Paulo | UTC−3 | 11 a.m.–7 p.m. | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. |
| Buenos Aires | UTC−3 | 11 a.m.–7 p.m. | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. |
| Kolkata | UTC+5:30 | 7:30 p.m.–3:30 a.m. | 6:30 p.m.–2:30 a.m. |
| Manila | UTC+8 | 10 p.m.–6 a.m. | 9 p.m.–5 a.m. |

None of these six cities changes its clocks, while New York moves to daylight time from March to November, which is why every gap shifts by one hour across the year.[1] For a team on Pacific time the picture is the same: Mexico City is one to two hours ahead of Los Angeles, Manila 15 to 16.

Night work also has a price in the Philippines. The Labor Code requires a night shift differential of at least 10% of the regular wage for each hour worked between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.,[6] which is the whole of a winter 9-to-5 Eastern shift in Manila.

## Where is English proficiency highest?

At the top it is close: Argentina scored 575 and the Philippines 569 in the EF English Proficiency Index 2025, ranked 26th and 28th of 123 countries and regions. India, Brazil and Colombia sit together just below the global average of 488, and Mexico ranks lowest of the countries compared here, at 440.[8]

| Country | EF EPI 2025 score | Rank of 123 | Change on previous score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 575[2] | 26 | +13 |
| Philippines | 569[3] | 28 | −1 |
| Uruguay | 542[9] | 34 | +4 |
| Peru | 519[10] | 52 | 0 |
| Chile | 517[11] | 54 | −8 |
| Costa Rica | 516[12] | 55 | −18 |
| India | 484[13] | 74 | −6 |
| Brazil | 482[14] | 75 | +16 |
| Colombia | 480[15] | 76 | −5 |
| Mexico | 440[4] | 103 | −19 |

The index is built from the test results of 2.2 million adults,[8] so it describes the people who took EF's test in each country, not the candidates you will interview. Use it to set expectations for a talent pool and test every finalist in a live call; a large country with a modest average, such as Mexico or Brazil, still has a deep pool of fluent professionals.

## How do income levels compare?

Average incomes, measured by GDP per capita, are lowest in India ($2,702 in 2025) and the Philippines ($4,171), and between $8,562 and $14,898 in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. All six are a fraction of the United States, at $90,027.[5]

| Country | GDP per capita, 2025 (current US$) | Share of the US figure | Consumer price inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | $2,702 | 3% | 2.4% (2025)[16] |
| Philippines | $4,171 | 5% | 1.7% (2025)[16] |
| Colombia | $8,562 | 10% | 5.1% (2025)[16] |
| Brazil | $10,713 | 12% | 5.0% (2025)[16] |
| Mexico | $13,889 | 15% | 3.8% (2025)[16] |
| Argentina | $14,898 | 17% | 219.9% (2024; 2025 not yet in the series)[16] |
| United States | $90,027 | 100% | — |

GDP per capita is a measure of average income, not a salary quote: pay for a given role depends on its seniority and the market for that skill. Our [role hiring guides](https://nearshorers.com/talent/sales/account-executive) compare published pay for specific roles with their US benchmark. For scale on the US side, private employers spent an average of $46.89 per hour worked on compensation in June 2026, of which 30% went to benefits.[17]

## How large is each talent pool?

India is in a league of its own on size: a labor force of 617.6 million and ICT service exports of $200.3 billion in 2025. Brazil has the largest pool in Latin America, with 108.3 million people in the labor force and $7.4 billion of ICT service exports, just behind the Philippines' $8.8 billion.[18][19]

| Country | Labor force, 2025 | ICT service exports, 2025 | Tertiary enrollment (gross) | Internet users |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 617.6 million | $200.3 billion | 34.4% (2025) | 70% (2025) |
| Brazil | 108.3 million | $7.4 billion | 69.7% (2024) | 84.5% (2024) |
| Mexico | 61.7 million | $2.7 billion | 48.2% (2024) | 83.1% (2024) |
| Philippines | 52.2 million | $8.8 billion | 47.4% (2024) | 67.3% (2024) |
| Colombia | 27.1 million | $2.3 billion | 59.3% (2022) | 79.3% (2024) |
| Argentina | 22.4 million | $2.9 billion | 107.8% (2023) | 89.7% (2024) |

Tertiary enrollment is a gross ratio, so it can pass 100% when students outside the official age group enroll, as in Argentina.[20] Internet use, the base layer of remote work, is above 79% of the population in all four Latin American countries and around 67% to 70% in the Philippines and India.[21]

## Does the country change your US tax obligations?

Not for work done there. Pay for personal services is sourced where the work is performed, so a contractor working from any of the six countries earns foreign-source income from you, with no US withholding.[7] Collect a [Form W-8BEN](https://nearshorers.com/manuals/w-8ben-for-latin-american-contractors) from each individual contractor either way.

Tax treaties only matter if the person works while in the United States, and coverage differs: the IRS lists income tax treaties with Mexico, India and the Philippines, but not with Brazil, Colombia or Argentina.[22]

## Which should you choose?

Choose by how the role works, not by the map. If the job runs on live collaboration during US hours (sales calls, customer conversations, standups, campaigns that need same-day changes), Latin America is the natural fit, because the hire keeps a normal daytime schedule. If the work is asynchronous and can run overnight, such as back-office processing or follow-the-sun support, Asia's later clock can work in your favor.

| What the role needs | Latin America | Philippines | India |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live overlap with a US workday | Full, in local daytime | Only on a night shift, with a 10% night premium | Only on an evening or night shift |
| Highest average English proficiency | Argentina, Uruguay | Close to Argentina | Just below the global average |
| Lowest average income level | Colombia lowest of the four | Lower than Latin America | Lowest of all |
| Largest talent pool | Brazil, then Mexico | Mid-sized | Largest by far |
| US withholding on pay for work done there | None | None | None |

Every row of this table restates a figure from the sections above; the trade-off is yours to weigh for each role.

## Key statistics

| Metric | Figure | What it measures | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 575 (#26 of 123) | EF English Proficiency Index 2025 score; 13 points up on the previous score | [2] |
| Philippines | 569 (#28) | EF EPI 2025 score; 1 point down on the previous score | [3] |
| Uruguay | 542 (#34) | EF EPI 2025 score; 4 points up | [9] |
| Peru | 519 (#52) | EF EPI 2025 score; unchanged | [10] |
| Chile | 517 (#54) | EF EPI 2025 score; 8 points down | [11] |
| Costa Rica | 516 (#55) | EF EPI 2025 score; 18 points down | [12] |
| India | 484 (#74) | EF EPI 2025 score; 6 points down | [13] |
| Brazil | 482 (#75) | EF EPI 2025 score; 16 points up | [14] |
| Colombia | 480 (#76) | EF EPI 2025 score; 5 points down | [15] |
| Mexico | 440 (#103) | EF EPI 2025 score; 19 points down | [4] |
| Global average score | 488 | Average of the 123 countries and regions in the 2025 index, built from 2.2 million adults' test results | [8] |
| GDP per capita, India | $2,702 | 2025, current US dollars | [5] |
| GDP per capita, Philippines | $4,171 | 2025, current US dollars | [5] |
| GDP per capita, Colombia | $8,562 | 2025, current US dollars | [5] |
| GDP per capita, Brazil | $10,713 | 2025, current US dollars | [5] |
| GDP per capita, Mexico | $13,889 | 2025, current US dollars | [5] |
| GDP per capita, Argentina | $14,898 | 2025, current US dollars | [5] |
| GDP per capita, United States | $90,027 | 2025, current US dollars | [5] |
| Inflation, Philippines | 1.7% | Consumer prices, annual change, 2025 | [16] |
| Inflation, India | 2.4% | Consumer prices, annual change, 2025 | [16] |
| Inflation, Mexico | 3.8% | Consumer prices, annual change, 2025 | [16] |
| Inflation, Brazil | 5.0% | Consumer prices, annual change, 2025 | [16] |
| Inflation, Colombia | 5.1% | Consumer prices, annual change, 2025 | [16] |
| Inflation, Argentina | 219.9% | Consumer prices, annual change, 2024 (latest year in the series) | [16] |
| US employer compensation cost per hour | $46.89 | Private industry workers, June 2026; wages $32.82 (70.0%) and benefits $14.07 (30.0%) | [17] |
| Labor force, India | 617.6 million | Total labor force, 2025 | [18] |
| Labor force, Brazil | 108.3 million | Total labor force, 2025 | [18] |
| Labor force, Mexico | 61.7 million | Total labor force, 2025 | [18] |
| Labor force, Philippines | 52.2 million | Total labor force, 2025 | [18] |
| Labor force, Colombia | 27.1 million | Total labor force, 2025 | [18] |
| Labor force, Argentina | 22.4 million | Total labor force, 2025 | [18] |
| Unemployment, Philippines | 2.2% | Share of the labor force, 2025, modeled ILO estimate | [23] |
| Unemployment, Mexico | 2.7% | Share of the labor force, 2025, modeled ILO estimate | [23] |
| Unemployment, India | 4.2% | Share of the labor force, 2025, modeled ILO estimate | [23] |
| Unemployment, Brazil | 6.0% | Share of the labor force, 2025, modeled ILO estimate | [23] |
| Unemployment, Argentina | 7.1% | Share of the labor force, 2025, modeled ILO estimate | [23] |
| Unemployment, Colombia | 8.3% | Share of the labor force, 2025, modeled ILO estimate | [23] |
| Tertiary enrollment, Argentina | 107.8% | Gross enrollment ratio, 2023 | [20] |
| Tertiary enrollment, Brazil | 69.7% | Gross enrollment ratio, 2024 | [20] |
| Tertiary enrollment, Colombia | 59.3% | Gross enrollment ratio, 2022 | [20] |
| Tertiary enrollment, Mexico | 48.2% | Gross enrollment ratio, 2024 | [20] |
| Tertiary enrollment, Philippines | 47.4% | Gross enrollment ratio, 2024 | [20] |
| Tertiary enrollment, India | 34.4% | Gross enrollment ratio, 2025 | [20] |
| ICT service exports, India | $200.3 billion | Balance of payments, current US dollars, 2025 | [19] |
| ICT service exports, Philippines | $8.8 billion | Balance of payments, current US dollars, 2025 | [19] |
| ICT service exports, Brazil | $7.4 billion | Balance of payments, current US dollars, 2025 | [19] |
| ICT service exports, Argentina | $2.9 billion | Balance of payments, current US dollars, 2025 | [19] |
| ICT service exports, Mexico | $2.7 billion | Balance of payments, current US dollars, 2025 | [19] |
| ICT service exports, Colombia | $2.3 billion | Balance of payments, current US dollars, 2025 | [19] |
| Internet users, Argentina | 89.7% | Share of the population, 2024 | [21] |
| Internet users, Brazil | 84.5% | Share of the population, 2024 | [21] |
| Internet users, Mexico | 83.1% | Share of the population, 2024 | [21] |
| Internet users, Colombia | 79.3% | Share of the population, 2024 | [21] |
| Internet users, India | 70% | Share of the population, 2025 | [21] |
| Internet users, Philippines | 67.3% | Share of the population, 2024 | [21] |

## Frequently asked questions

### Is it cheaper to hire in the Philippines than in Latin America?

On average income levels, yes. World Bank figures put GDP per capita in 2025 at $4,171 in the Philippines against $8,562 to $14,898 in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. Salaries for a given role depend on seniority and skill, and covering US hours from Manila means night shifts, which Philippine law pays at a premium of at least 10%.

### Which Latin American country has the best English?

Argentina, with a score of 575 and 26th place of 123 countries and regions in the EF English Proficiency Index 2025. Uruguay (542), Peru (519), Chile (517) and Costa Rica (516) follow. Brazil (482), Colombia (480) and Mexico (440) score lower, though each has a large pool of fluent professionals to interview.

### Can a hire in Manila or Kolkata work US business hours?

Yes, but at night. A 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. New York day runs from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in Manila and from 7:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. in Kolkata between November and March, one hour earlier the rest of the year. Philippine law requires a night shift differential of at least 10% for hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

### Do I withhold US tax for contractors in India or the Philippines?

Not for work they do there. The IRS sources pay for personal services where the work is performed, so a contractor working from India, the Philippines or Latin America earns foreign-source income from you, with no US withholding. Ask each individual contractor for a Form W-8BEN to document that they are a foreign person.

### How many hours apart is Buenos Aires from New York?

Two hours ahead from November to March and one hour ahead from March to November. Argentina stays on UTC−3 all year, while New York switches between UTC−5 and UTC−4 for daylight saving time, so a 9-to-5 New York day runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Buenos Aires in winter.

## Sources

1. [Time Zone Database](https://www.iana.org/time-zones). IANA. Checked 2026-11-02.
2. [Argentina | EF English Proficiency Index](https://www.ef.com/wwen/epi/regions/latin-america/argentina/). EF Education First, 2025. Checked 2026-11-02.
3. [Philippines | EF English Proficiency Index](https://www.ef.com/wwen/epi/regions/asia/philippines/). EF Education First, 2025. Checked 2026-11-02.
4. [Mexico | EF English Proficiency Index](https://www.ef.com/wwen/epi/regions/latin-america/mexico/). EF Education First, 2025. Checked 2026-11-02.
5. [GDP per capita (current US$), World Development Indicators](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD). World Bank, 2026-10-08. Checked 2026-11-02.
6. [Labor Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 442), Article 86](https://lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1974/pd_442_1974a.html). The LawPhil Project (Arellano Law Foundation), 1974-05-01. Checked 2026-11-02.
7. [Source of income: personal service income](https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/source-of-income-personal-service-income). Internal Revenue Service, 2026-02-06. Checked 2026-11-02.
8. [EF English Proficiency Index 2025](https://www.ef.com/wwen/epi/). EF Education First, 2025. Checked 2026-11-02.
9. [Uruguay | EF English Proficiency Index](https://www.ef.com/wwen/epi/regions/latin-america/uruguay/). EF Education First, 2025. Checked 2026-11-02.
10. [Peru | EF English Proficiency Index](https://www.ef.com/wwen/epi/regions/latin-america/peru/). EF Education First, 2025. Checked 2026-11-02.
11. [Chile | EF English Proficiency Index](https://www.ef.com/wwen/epi/regions/latin-america/chile/). EF Education First, 2025. Checked 2026-11-02.
12. [Costa Rica | EF English Proficiency Index](https://www.ef.com/wwen/epi/regions/latin-america/costa-rica/). EF Education First, 2025. Checked 2026-11-02.
13. [India | EF English Proficiency Index](https://www.ef.com/wwen/epi/regions/asia/india/). EF Education First, 2025. Checked 2026-11-02.
14. [Brazil | EF English Proficiency Index](https://www.ef.com/wwen/epi/regions/latin-america/brazil/). EF Education First, 2025. Checked 2026-11-02.
15. [Colombia | EF English Proficiency Index](https://www.ef.com/wwen/epi/regions/latin-america/colombia/). EF Education First, 2025. Checked 2026-11-02.
16. [Inflation, consumer prices (annual %), World Development Indicators](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG). World Bank, 2026-10-08. Checked 2026-11-02.
17. [Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, June 2026](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2026-09-09. Checked 2026-11-02.
18. [Labor force, total, World Development Indicators](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.TOTL.IN). World Bank, 2026-10-08. Checked 2026-11-02.
19. [ICT service exports (BoP, current US$), World Development Indicators](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BX.GSR.CCIS.CD). World Bank, 2026-10-08. Checked 2026-11-02.
20. [School enrollment, tertiary (% gross), World Development Indicators](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.TER.ENRR). World Bank, 2026-10-08. Checked 2026-11-02.
21. [Individuals using the Internet (% of population), World Development Indicators](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS). World Bank, 2026-10-08. Checked 2026-11-02.
22. [United States income tax treaties: A to Z](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/international-businesses/united-states-income-tax-treaties-a-to-z). Internal Revenue Service, 2026-01-03. Checked 2026-11-02.
23. [Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate), World Development Indicators](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS). World Bank, 2026-10-08. Checked 2026-11-02.

General information to plan a hire, not legal or tax advice.