The global demand for Filipino labor continued its upward trajectory in 2024, with the population of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) increasing to an estimated 2.19 million. This figure marks a 1.5 percent rise from the 2.16 million recorded in 2023, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Demographic Profile and Regional Origins
The data reveals that the vast majority, 97.9 percent of these workers, were Overseas Contract Workers (OCWs) with valid employment contracts. A smaller segment, comprising 2.1 percent, included Filipinos working full-time abroad without formal permits or using non-immigrant visas.
Women continued to dominate the overseas workforce, numbering 1.25 million and representing 57.2 percent of all OFWs. The largest age group was workers aged 45 and above, making up 25.8 percent of the total.
On the home front, Calabarzon solidified its position as the leading source region, contributing 20.5 percent of all OFWs. Central Luzon (11.3%) and Western Visayas (9.5%) followed. Collectively, Luzon supplied nearly two-thirds of the overseas workforce at 62.9 percent.
Occupational Trends and Top Destinations
Elementary occupations, which include roles in cleaning, maintenance, food service assistance, and deliveries, employed four in every 10 OFWs (43.6%). A significant gender divide exists within this sector: 68.4 percent of female OFWs held these jobs, while male workers were more prevalent as plant and machine operators and assemblers (32.8%).
Asia remained the primary hub for Filipino migrant labor, hosting 74.5 percent of all OFWs. Saudi Arabia led as the top destination country, accounting for 21.9 percent of the total. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) followed as the second most popular choice with a 12.4 percent share.
Remittance Flows and Channels
The economic contribution of these workers remained substantial. Total remittances for the year, encompassing cash sent home, cash carried personally, and in-kind transfers, reached an estimated P262.2 billion. The average remittance per OFW increased to P129,000, up from P123,000 in the previous year.
Of the P214.31 billion in cash remittances, 62.1 percent originated from OFWs based in Asia. Banks remained the most trusted channel for sending money, accounting for 61.1 percent of cash transfers, while money transfer services handled 37.5 percent.
The sustained growth in OFW numbers and the concurrent rise in remittances underscore the critical role of overseas employment in the Philippine economy, providing vital financial support to millions of families across the archipelago.
