Indonesia
- Working-age population*
- 194.9 million
- Currency
- Indonesian rupiah (IDR)
- Time zone
- UTC+7 to UTC+9
- Talent strength
- Software engineering, finance, operations, creative and customer support talent
Southeast Asia Hiring Country Guides
Explore practical hiring guides for Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Compare talent markets, employment rules, payroll requirements and employee costs before building your team.
Compare Southeast Asia Talent Markets
Select a country to compare its workforce size, time zone and strongest talent areas.
Malaysia
- Working-age population*
- 24.7 million
- Currency
- Malaysian ringgit (MYR)
- Time zone
- UTC+8
- Talent strength
- Multilingual shared services, finance, technology and customer experience talent
Philippines
- Working-age population*
- 74.9 million
- Currency
- Philippine peso (PHP)
- Time zone
- UTC+8
- Talent strength
- English-speaking customer support, finance, healthcare and digital operations talent
Thailand
- Working-age population*
- 50.1 million
- Currency
- Thai baht (THB)
- Time zone
- UTC+7
- Talent strength
- Manufacturing, hospitality, digital commerce and regional operations talent
Vietnam
- Working-age population*
- 68.7 million
- Currency
- Vietnamese dong (VND)
- Time zone
- UTC+7
- Talent strength
- Software development, engineering, design and fast-growing digital talent
*Working-age population refers to ages 15–64 years old.
Indonesia
Total population: approximately 285 million
Estimated population of young working adults (age 18 - 35): 75 million
Key strengths:
Competitive labor costs
Huge young workforce
Digitally savvy
Malaysia
Total population: approximately 35 million
Estimated population of young working adults (age 18 - 35): 11 million
Key strengths:
High English proficiency
Multi-lingual workforce e.g. Mandarin
Diverse expertise and skills
Philippines
Total population: approximately 120 million
Estimated population of young working adults (age 18 - 35): 35 million
Key strengths:
High English proficiency
Skilled workforce
Strong in traditional BPO industry
Thailand
Total population: approximately 72 million
Estimated population of young working adults (age 18 - 35): 20 million
Key strengths:
Cost effective
Skilled workforce
Strong technical expertise
Vietnam
Total population: approximately 102 million
Estimated population of young working adults (age 18 - 35): 35 million
Key strengths:
Large dynamic workforce
Tech-savvy and strong in STEM education
Strong work ethic
Explore roles to offshore across Southeast Asia
Start with the work your business needs done. Explore common role groups before comparing the Southeast Asian talent markets that suit them best.
Helpful Resources for Hiring in Southeast Asia
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Southeast Asian country is best for hiring remote talent?
The best market depends on the role, language requirements, budget and time zone overlap. Use the country guides to compare talent strengths and employment requirements before choosing a location.
How much does it cost to hire an employee in Southeast Asia?
The total cost includes salary plus employer contributions, statutory benefits, payroll, insurance, equipment and employment support. These costs differ by country, so compare the complete employer cost rather than salary alone.
Can a foreign company hire in Southeast Asia without opening a local entity?
Yes. An Employer of Record can employ the team member locally, administer payroll and support compliance while your company manages their day to day work. The right structure depends on the role and working relationship.
What employment requirements should companies compare across Southeast Asia?
Compare employment contracts, working hours, leave, public holidays, probation, employer contributions, mandatory benefits, payroll cycles and termination rules. Requirements vary by country and can change over time.
How can Weshine help us hire and manage employees across Southeast Asia?
Weshine can support recruitment, Employer of Record, payroll, onboarding and ongoing HR administration across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.