The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) recently released a special report on the overseas deployment data for the first quarter of 2024, estimating that a total of 429,056 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) were deployed during the period from January to March 2024. This figure is lower than the 635,748 OFWs deployed during the same period in 2023.

The DMW is now the country's primary migration agency, formed by merging seven agencies and bureaus, including the former Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), which typically releases OFW deployment data.

DMW's data further showed that of the total OFWs deployed, land-based OFWs had the larger share at 74.4 percent (319 thousand), while Filipino seafarers had 25.6 percent (110 thousand). Among land-based OFWs, three-fourths (240 thousand) were rehires or Balik-Manggagawa while the remaining quarter (79 thousand) were new hires.

Majority of deployed OFWs are men

Of the 429 thousand OFWs deployed in the 1st quarter of 2024, around 230 thousand (53.5%) were men, while 200 thousand (46.5%) were women. However, there were more women (192 thousand or 60.4%) than men (126 thousand 39.6%) who were deployed as land-based OFWs. In contrast, men (103 thousand or 93.6%) outnumbered women (6,994 or 6.4%) in the deployment of Filipino seafarers.

Saudi Arabia remains as top leading destination for deployed land-based OFWs

For the period January to March 2024, the top five (5) destinations of land-based OFWs were the following: Middle East (51.9%), Asia (37.3%), Europe (5.3%), Oceania (2.9%), and Americas (1.4%).

Across occupational groups, newly hired land-based OFWs engaged in elementary occupations made up the largest share of 46.2 percent (37 thousand) of the total OFWs in first quarter of 2024. Service and sales workers accounted for the second largest group 29.3 percent (23 thousand), while craft and related trades workers followed suit with 8.8 percent (7 thousand).

View the comprehensive statistical report at DMW's website. 

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