Latine Representation In Tech Will Not Reach Parity Until 2077

The Latine community represents nearly 19% of the U.S. population but only 1 in 10 tech workers, a new report has found.

Moreover, without significant action, Latine representation in tech will not reach parity until 2077.

The Latine Tech Ecosystem

The Kapor Foundation, in collaboration with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, SomosVC, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), has released a report titled “The State of Tech Diversity: The Latine Tech Ecosystem.” 

The analysis spans K-12 computer science education to venture capital funding, shedding light on the systemic challenges hindering the Latine community’s progress in the tech pipeline.

The Latine population is expected to form the majority of new workers in the coming decade, but they face systemic exclusion from one of the fastest-growing industries. 

This underrepresentation spans across all levels – from education to professional employment and entrepreneurship.

Latine tech talent: Underrepresented at all levels

Despite increased advocacy efforts, only 8 in 10 (78%) Latine students can access foundational computer science (CS) courses. Furthermore, a mere 1 in 5 (21%) course participants are Latina.

The report also found that Latine students are underrepresented in tech boot camps and computing degrees. 

However, there’s a silver lining in the growth of Latine talent in tech apprenticeships, which has increased by 133% in the last five years.

The Latine community additionally faces significant challenges in the tech workforce where they account for 1 in 10 workers.

They hold only 6% of technical roles in major U.S. tech companies and face wage disparities compared to their white counterparts. 

The report warns that parity in the Latine technical workforce will not be achieved until 2077 without significant action.

Latine investors and entrepreneurs are disproportionately underfunded. In 2021, at the height of venture funding, with over $250 billion invested, Latine tech founders only received 3%.

As VC funding slowed in 2023, capital deployed to Latine entrepreneurs dropped to just 1.3% of all US venture investments.

A Call For Change

The report concludes with an urgent call for immediate measures to dismantle the barriers facing the Latine community within the tech sector.

It emphasizes the economic, social, and cultural imperative of including Latine voices and talent across the tech ecosystem, from education and workforce to entrepreneurship.

“The findings of our [report], while not surprising, are a stark reminder of the critical need to create a more equitable educational system, workforce development, and structure promoting entrepreneurship through tech for Latinos,” said Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.