Why Southeast Europe Is Becoming a Global BPO Powerhouse
Introduction
What if the next BPO superhub wasn’t India or the Philippines—but Southeast Europe?
With rapid growth, multilingual talent, and attractive operating costs, the region is no longer an “alternative” but a strategic first choice. This blog post explores why Southeast Europe is gaining momentum, what’s fueling investor confidence, and how businesses can leverage this shift for competitive advantage.
Market Momentum and Regional Confidence
A Surge Backed by Numbers
The Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector in Southeast Europe is witnessing a significant upswing. Recent data shows that Romania and Bulgaria have taken the lead in regional outsourcing, generating €7.9 billion and €5.4 billion in revenue respectively in 2023 (Novinite). Croatia saw a remarkable 28% year-over-year increase in BPO volume, especially in IT and customer experience services.
A survey conducted by Emerging Europe shows that confidence among outsourcing providers in Central and Southeast Europe is at an all-time high, driven by growing demand from Western Europe and North America (Emerging Europe).
Key Drivers of Growth
- Multilingual Talent: Over 60% of BPO workers in the region speak at least two European languages, including German, French, and English (Grand View Research).
- Cost Efficiency: Companies can save up to 40% compared to Western Europe when outsourcing to Southeast Europe (Alcor BPO).
- Proximity and Cultural Alignment: For clients in the DACH and Benelux regions, cultural compatibility and minimal time-zone difference are major advantages.
Best Practices for Leveraging Southeast Europe as a BPO Destination
1. Implement a Hybrid Delivery Model
Combine on-site teams with remote agents in Southeast Europe. This allows for flexibility in scaling, while ensuring quality and compliance across borders.
2. Conduct Market-Specific Due Diligence
Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, tailor your outsourcing strategy per country. For example, Albania excels in Italian-speaking support, while Serbia is strong in IT services and back-office operations.
3. Optimize Partner Selection with Local Intelligence
Use networks like SEEOS to identify vetted partners with proven operational maturity, language skills, and scalable infrastructure.
Conclusion
Southeast Europe has moved from the periphery to the center of global outsourcing strategy. With its compelling mix of cost efficiency, talent availability, and market maturity, the region offers a high-value alternative to traditional BPO destinations. Companies looking to scale quickly while maintaining quality should act now—because early movers are already locking in the best partnerships.
External links:
- Novinite article on BPO revenue
- Emerging Europe on CEE BPO confidence
- Grand View Research CX BPO market
- Alcor BPO market insights
Internal links: