Nearly 7 in 10 OFWs cite higher pay as top reason for leaving (opens original article in a new tab)

Higher wages and better job opportunities drive Filipinos to work abroad, with 69% of OFWs citing income as top reason, while domestic economic challenges like low wages and rising costs persist.

• 69% of OFWs cited higher income as top reason for working abroad
• 57% of OFWs wanted to improve quality of life
• 4.7% unemployment rate in Philippines as of April 2026
• P1,312 daily income needed for decent living vs P510 minimum wage