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Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) form a significant part of the Philippines' labor force. They contribute to the country's economy through their remittances and skills. Here are the top countries where OFWs are currently employed.
Asia: The Leading Destination
Asia is the leading destination for OFWs, accounting for 80.8% of the total OFW population in 2022¹. The top countries in Asia where OFWs are employed include:
1. Saudi Arabia: With 23.0% of the total OFWs working here, Saudi Arabia is the top destination for OFWs¹.
2. United Arab Emirates**: The UAE is the second most popular destination, employing 13.7% of OFWs¹.
3. Other popular Asian destinations include Hong Kong, Kuwait, Singapore, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.
Europe: A Growing Market
Europe is the second most popular destination for OFWs, accounting for 9.0% of the total OFW population in 2022¹. The United Kingdom is one of the top European destinations for OFWs³.
North and South America: The New Frontier
North and South America collectively account for 6.3% of the total OFW population¹. The United States is a popular destination, offering diverse opportunities³.
Australia and New Zealand: Opportunities Down Under
Australia and New Zealand are also popular destinations for OFWs. Australia accounts for 2.9% of the total OFW population¹, while New Zealand is among the top 10 best countries to work abroad for OFWs³.
Africa: An Emerging Destination
Africa accounts for 1.0% of the total OFW population¹. While it's not a traditional destination for OFWs, it's slowly gaining popularity.
In conclusion, OFWs are spread across the globe, contributing to the economies of their host countries while supporting their families back home. As the global economy continues to evolve, likely the destinations for OFWs will also change, offering new opportunities for these hardworking individuals.
Sources:
(1) Survey on Overseas Filipinos | Philippine Statistics Authority .... https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/survey/labor-and-employment/survey-overseas-filipinos.
(2) Top OFW Destinations and Opportunities Abroad - POEA Jobs. https://poeajobs.ph/top-ofw-destinations-and-opportunities-abroad/.
(3) Top 10 Best Countries to Work Abroad for Filipino OFWs | Digido. https://digido.ph/articles/ofw-loan/best-country-to-work-abroad.
(4) 2021 Overseas Filipino Workers (Final Results). https://psa.gov.ph/content/2021-overseas-filipino-workers-final-results.