OFW deployment up 9.8% in 2023

The number of Filipinos working abroad rose by 9.8 percent last year from 2022 as more people took advantage of employment opportunities overseas to earn more.

- LOUELLA DESIDERIO

According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), there were 2.16 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) last year, up from the 1.96 million estimate in 2022.

This is based on the PSA's survey conducted from April to September 2023.

Overseas contract workers accounted for bulk of the total estimate last year at 98 percent or 2.12 million, higher than the 1.94 million last year.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said in an email that the increase in the number of OFWs “could be attributed to more Filipinos taking the of OFWs “could be attributed to more Fili opportunity for the bigger differentials or premium in wages or salaries when working abroad or overseas.”