In 2023, it was estimated that the country had around 45 developers and, to meet market demand, at least 20,000 to 30,000 more were needed. In 2026, that gap still remains, although with changes in the type of talent that the market demands.
According to Louis Prouvost, director of Level UP, there has been a reduction in some traditional technological disciplines and an increase in others linked to cutting-edge technologies. “We can say that the figure remains the same, but we are seeing a movement from traditional programming towards areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data analytics,” he explained.
He also mentioned high demand in areas such as databases, data centers, storage, cloud computing and networking. “There is a market for artificial intelligence agents in constant and exponential growth, which represents a billion-dollar opportunity in employment and economic development,” he stated.
However, he indicated that this demand is not yet fully reflected in the country, since many companies that require these profiles are abroad and have not begun to recruit intensively in Guatemala.
Prouvost added that they currently estimate 20 thousand additional developers in the country, mainly mid-level, but warned that it is necessary to differentiate between traditional programmers and artificial intelligence specialists, because the skills required are different. “The numbers will continue to grow, but we must differentiate between developers and experts in artificial intelligence, because it is a different skill, with similar results, and it means that we can make mistakes,” he mentioned.
For his part, Douglas Barrios, director of the Department of Computer Science at the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), assured that the demand for talent remains high. “I receive between 30 and 40 requests per month from companies looking for people who know how to develop and program”, he stated.
Barrios indicated that the need for technological talent covers all economic sectors. “From health, real estate, construction, business… really all sectors are demanding people who work in the development of programs and systems,” he noted.
In particular, he highlighted that the most difficult profiles to find are related to artificial intelligence, both in the development of systems and in technological infrastructure. “That is what is having the most difficulty finding,” he mentioned.
Difficulties
One of the main obstacles to closing the gap is the perception of difficulty in these careers. Barrios explained that many young people consider that programming requires advanced skills in mathematics or English.
“The mathematics used is applied and is within the reach of anyone interested. It should not be a barrier,” he indicated. Regarding English, he added that initially a technical level is required, but its command becomes key when working with international companies.
For his part, Prouvost pointed out that the educational system still faces difficulties in adapting to market changes. “It is difficult for them to leave some formations that will soon be obsolete, although they are already investing in more promising careers,” he commented.
Given this context, intensive programs or bootcamps have emerged as an alternative to reduce the gap in less time. Prouvost explained that these programs allow for faster training that is adaptable to changes in the labor market. “Intensity allows us to better respond to market variations, where technologies change in real time,” he noted.
He added that this type of training must gain legitimacy and be complemented with international certifications, which in many cases have greater weight than traditional academic credits.
Impact on investment
The lack of technological talent also limits the attraction of foreign investment. Barrios warned that this slows down the arrival of companies to the country. “Companies see that demand cannot be met at the pace they require,” he indicated.
Prouvost agreed that Guatemala is not a primary option to install technological operations. “It slows down investment, recruitment and the possibility of positioning the country as a strong player in technology,” he stated.
He added that this occurs despite the fact that the country is attractive and has advantages such as economic stability, demographic bonus and experience in outsourcing.
Measures of change
Barrios considers that one of the main challenges is to incorporate computational thinking into the educational system, which does not require large investments. “You can start with paper and pencil, but we need to change the mentality that this depends only on computers,” he said.
He also warned that Guatemala faces a gap in the generation of knowledge, which limits its ability to develop its own solutions in areas such as health, education and food security.
For his part, Prouvost highlighted the need to attract international companies and position the country as a hotbed of talent. “We must tell the world that there is valuable talent in Guatemala,” he indicated.
In addition, he proposed promoting regional alliances in Central America to compete on a global level. “Individually we are small markets, but as a region we can attract great opportunities and generate employment for everyone,” he concluded.