OFW deployment rises 9.8% in 2023

The number of Filipinos working abroad increased by 9.8 percent in 2023, reaching a total of 2.16 million, up from 1.96 million in 2022. This rise reflects growing opportunities for employment overseas as Filipinos seek higher wages and better financial prospects.

According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the increase was based on a survey conducted between April and September 2023. Overseas contract workers comprised the majority of this group, accounting for 98 percent or 2.12 million OFWs, an increase from the previous year's 1.94 million.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., attributed the surge to the significant wage differentials and premium salaries available abroad. Many OFWs send substantial portions of their earnings back to their families in the Philippines, where living costs are comparatively lower.

The PSA also reported a 20.8 percent increase in remittances, totaling PHP238.63 billion in 2023, up from PHP197.47 billion the previous year. This amount includes cash sent home (PHP187.11 billion), cash brought back (PHP44.70 billion), and in-kind remittances (PHP6.81 billion). Banks were the most popular channel for cash remittances, capturing 62.2 percent of the total, followed by money transfer services with a 36.5 percent share.

Women constituted the majority of OFWs, with their numbers rising to 1.20 million from 1.14 million in 2022. The largest age group among OFWs was those aged 45 and above, representing 24.1 percent, followed by the 30 to 34 years group at 23.5 percent, and the 35 to 39 years group at 18.6 percent.

In terms of occupation, 41.1 percent of OFWs were engaged in elementary tasks, such as cleaning and basic maintenance. Service and sales roles were the second most common, making up 14.7 percent, followed by plant and machine operators at 12.1 percent.

Regionally, 77.4 percent of OFWs were deployed in Asia, with Saudi Arabia being the top destination at 20 percent. North and South America followed with 9.8 percent, Europe with 8.4 percent, Australia with 3 percent, and Africa with 1.3 percent.

The regions contributing the most to the OFW workforce were CALABARZON (19 percent), Central Luzon (15.2 percent), and the National Capital Region (9.6 percent).