THE MARKET FOR BILINGUAL PROFESSIONALS

Spanish is spoken by 350 million people in 23 countries around the world: in Europe (Spain), North and South America (20 countries), Africa (Spanish Guinea) and Southeast Asia (Philippines).

Latin America has become the "last frontier" for many exporting countries, especially for the United States, its northern neighbor. Most of the countries in Central and South America, where Spanish is largely spoken, are experiencing substantial population and economic growth. These areas are potential mega-markets for U.S. products, as well as suppliers of raw materials. The implementation of NAFTA, MERCOSUR and other similar treaties that will follow will assure greater interdependence between the economies of the countries in the Western Hemisphere. With this interdependence comes the need to understand the major differences and nuances of the various Latin American nations. This is only possible with the proper knowledge of the Spanish language and the numerous Hispanic sub-cultures throughout the region and within the U.S.

In the United States, there are 26 million Spanish-speaking people. This group is expected to reach 80 million by the year 2050. In New York City, 25% of the population is of Hispanic origin or speaks Spanish. In many other cities in the U.S. the percentages are even greater (Los Angeles, Miami, El Paso and San Antonio, among others). In the U.S. alone, Hispanics are a $300 billion per year consumer group, paying over $60 billion in taxes per year.

Spanish-speaking professionals have been in demand in the U.S. and Americans are learning Spanish in increasing numbers. In 1986, Spanish was taught in 1,031 Spanish language departments to more than 400,000 students, and these figures are constantly increasing. A 1993 study commissioned by SPANUSA from Queens College in New York City, based on 1990 Census data, indicates that there were 100,000 non-Hispanic-Americans working in professional or administrative positions who speak Spanish. The importance of Spanish language skills to U.S. corporations is undeniable.

The tremendous potential for new markets to be created in Latin America, along with the already immense and growing Hispanic consumer market in the U.S. is creating a demand for bilingual professionals who can keep U.S., is creating a demand for bilingual professionals who can keep U.S. companies competitive.

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LatPro, (www.latpro.com) is an award-winning job site and the leading online career resource for Spanish and Portuguese-speaking professionals throughout the Americas.