Asia-Pacific leads global tech talent as AI boosts job market

A recent report from CBRE has found that the eight largest global tech talent markets, each with over 500,000 tech workers, are all located in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Global Tech Talent Guidebook 2025, released by CBRE, explores the shifts in technology talent across the Asia-Pacific area and highlights the increasing competition in Artificial Intelligence (AI) development which is creating new opportunities for skilled workers.

Rohini Saluja, Managing Director and Head of Consulting and Integrated Client Solutions, Asia Pacific for CBRE, commented on the changing nature of the sector, stating, "AI will catalyse the next economic growth cycle, producing significant economic value and real estate demand. We are seeing tech talent anchored in APAC, shifting from general engineering to specialized AI roles. India and China are now competing with the largest markets in the U.S. and the U.K., while niche talent pools are emerging in places like Singapore."

The report indicates that the prospects for the tech industry and demand for its workforce remain strong, driven by the ongoing digital transformation of economies globally.

Ada Choi, Head of Research, Asia Pacific, for CBRE, observed, "The talent pool in Asia Pacific is deep, with a lot of AI-related professionals concentrated in China and India. Ongoing AI developments and innovation will drive economic growth, and fuel tech talent employment growth and real estate demand in the region."

In terms of venture capital (VC) funding, AI has been a significant factor contributing to strong growth within the technology industry. According to the guidebook, 2024 saw a record USD $129 billion in venture capital investment across 5,900 deals worldwide. While North America secured 59% of all global VC funding, both the Asia-Pacific region and Europe received about 20% each.

Within Asia-Pacific, the guidebook identified Beijing, Bengaluru, and Shanghai as having particularly large concentrations of technology workers, each exceeding one million. The report also highlighted that, when it comes to educational attainment, Ireland, Switzerland, and Singapore are notable for having the highest rates, while the United States and China maintain the largest numbers of top-ranked universities.

The report discusses the emergence of cities in China, India and Southeast Asia as new destinations attracting tech talent. Start-ups such as DeepSeek in Hangzhou serve as examples of this growth. Factors contributing to the rise of these markets include improvements in education and technology skills, favourable business climates, lower operational costs, and a high quality of life. The report notes that remote work has played a significant role in supporting these emerging markets by enabling them to integrate more effectively with global teams.

The evolving preferences of technology firms regarding office location is also noted. Companies are increasingly reassessing their location strategies in response to shifting international trade policies and talent mobility. The ease of talent movement across borders has become particularly important for corporate occupiers as hybrid work arrangements continue to increase the mobility of office-based employees.

Despite a recent slowdown that began in 2023, the report notes that long-term growth prospects for the technology sector remain strong. Continued innovation in AI and steady flows of venture capital are expected to maintain the demand for technology professionals in the Asia-Pacific region.