Central Asia and the Caucasus regions have become emerging markets for U.S.-based tech companies that are searching for incredible talent to join their teams. The list of benefits of hiring in emerging markets goes on and on — but many companies may still not know where to find, recruit, and hire talent. That is where Truss can help.
Truss provides U.S.-based tech companies with an experienced employer of record in Central Asia and other parts of the world with an end-to-end global hiring platform. Truss has years of experience in the region and is ready to help you find, recruit, hire, onboard, and manage global talent — and we hope that this overview of the best countries for hiring tech talent in Central Asia and the Caucasus will help you find the right fit for your team.
READ MORE: The Benefits of Hiring in Central Asia vs. Eastern Europe for Tech Startups
5 Countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus to Hire Remote Tech Employees
When you look at emerging hiring markets vs. established hiring markets you will find that Central Asia and the countries of the Caucasus region have become hiring hotspots for tech companies and startups. The rise of the tech industry in the region is driven by affordable salaries that are on average 65% – 80% lower than similar roles in the United States, exceptional employer tax incentives, government-supported tech programs, and a deep talent pool with connections to the tech world and the right skills.
Tech companies that look deeper at the region will find that Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan have set themselves apart from many other tech markets around the world.
1. Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan garners the lion’s share of headlines when you search for emerging tech markets in Central Asia. The country is one of the fastest growing tech industries in the world with government-supported programs and a young, modern population with more than 60% of the population under 30 years old. The tech industry in Uzbekistan is centered around Tashkent where global tech employers benefit from the government supported IT Park that provides employer tax incentives and helps tech startups find, recruit, and employ top talent. Additional initiatives like the One Million Uzbek Coders helps increase the talent pool.
- Average Tech Salary: $18,000 – $36,000
- Tech Roles and Skills: Full-Stack Web Development, Backend Engineering (Python, Java, PHP, Go), Mobile App Development (Flutter, Android), Database Management, and QA Automation
- Employer Tax Incentives: 0% Corporate Profit Tax, 0% VAT on Exported IT Services, 7.5% Personal Income Tax for IT Employees
2. Kazakhstan
While Uzbekistan represents one of the fastest growing tech markets in Central Asia, Kazakhstan possesses the most advanced and most mature tech industry in the region with a national emphasis on FinTech. STEM education and tech skills are an emphasis at institutions like Nazarbayev University, which has played an important role in creating a deep talent pool of software engineers. The tech hubs of Almaty and Astana put an emphasis on enterprise software, cloud computing, and distributed systems, and the Astana Hub provides employers with substantial tax incentives that attract global tech companies.
- Average Tech Salary: $25,000 – $48,000
- Tech Roles and Skills: FinTech & Banking Systems, DevOps & Cloud Engineering (AWS, Kubernetes), Data Science, Machine Learning, and Enterprise Architecture (.NET, Java, Python)
- Employer Tax Incentives: 0% Corporate Income Tax in Astana Hub, 0% VAT, and 0% Personal Income Tax on Qualifying Employee Payroll
3. Georgia
Georgia — not the one in the United States — is located on the line between Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, and it has become an incredible place for tech startups to find talent. The country has a reputation for making it easy to do business and has embraced Western corporate infrastructure in many ways. Georgia is an attractive destination for talented software engineers and tech talent from other countries in the region that has helped establish a deep talent pool that benefits hiring companies. With a high level of English language proficiency, a convenient time zone for U.S.-based tech companies, and an International Company Status that provides key tax incentives, Georgia is a great place to hire tech talent.
- Average Tech Salary: $26,000 – $46,000
- Tech Roles and Skills: Full-Stack Software Engineering (React, Node.js, TypeScript), Cybersecurity, Game Development, API Integrations, and Cloud Infrastructure
- Employer Tax Incentives: 5% Corporate Income Tax, 0% Dividend Tax, and 5% Employee Personal Income Tax with International Company Status
4. Armenia
The emerging tech market in Armenia has led to the country being nicknamed the Silicon Valley of the South Caucasus that is supported by an educational system and workforce that prioritizes advanced mathematics, physics, and computer science. The capital of Armenia, Yerevan, has become the home for many tech companies that include tech giants like Synopsys, NVIDIA, and Adobe, in addition to local tech companies like Picsart. Many software developers in Armenia are highly-valued in the tech industry because of a deep understanding of complex algorithm challenges, machine learning, and computer vision.
- Average Tech Salary: $28,000 – $48,000
- Tech Roles and Skills: Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Deep Learning, Algorithm Design, Embedded Systems, and Microelectronics / Semiconductor Design
- Employer Tax Incentives: 0% Corporate Profit Tax and 10% Flat Personal Income Tax for IT Employees
5. Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan provides tech startups with a deep and affordable talent pool that is built around Bishkek as a primary tech hub and supported by a network of tech bootcamps, IT educational academies, and institutions like the American University of Central Asia. Software engineers in Kyrgyzstan have a reputation for high retention rates, adaptability across modern web platforms, and excitement to work for global tech startups. The High Technology Park in Kyrgyzstan provides hiring companies with preferential tax incentives and access to elite talent that makes hiring remote talent in the country simpler.
- Average Tech Salary: $20,000 – $38,000
- Tech Roles and Skills: Mobile Engineering (iOS, Android, Flutter), Web Application Development (JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP), UI/UX Design, and QA Engineering
- Employer Tax Incentives: 0% Corporate Income Tax, 0% VAT, 0% Sales Tax, and 5% Personal Income Tax in High Technology Park
READ MORE: Why Tech Startups Are Turning to Central Asia
Choose Truss as Your EOR in Central Asia and the Caucasus
Armed with a clear overview of the best countries for hiring tech talent in Central Asia and the Caucasus, you are halfway to building a talented team for your tech company.
But how do you find, recruit, hire, onboard, and manage remote tech talent from around the globe? An employer of record is the right choice — and Truss is here to help. Truss has legal entities in the countries listed above and we have years of experience hiring and managing remote employees in the area as an employer of record.
When you partner with Truss, we will provide you with a list of candidates that meet your skill and salary requirements, we will help onboard and manage remote employees, and as your employer of record, we will ensure your company remains compliant with the local labor laws. Truss provides tech companies with an end-to-end hiring solution.
Contact Truss today to find the talent that your team needs!
