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OFW Numbers Growing; Remittances Are Also Up

By on June 29, 2012

The total number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who worked abroad from April to September 2011 was estimated at 2.2 million, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO). They remitted P156.3 billion for the same period.

The number of OFWs for the same period in 2010 was estimated at 2 million or 10 percent lower; their total remittance at the time was P141.2 billion.

“The overseas contract workers [OCWs] or those with existing work contract abroad comprised 95.3 percent of the total OFWs in 2011,” NSO said in a report.

During that April-September period, there were more male OFWs, at 52.2 percent, than females. Of the 2.2 million OFWs, 23.6 percent were in the 25 to 29 year-old age bracket; 22.6 percent were 30 to 34 years old.

NSO also noted that female OFWs were generally younger compared to males. Among the female OFWs, those who were 25 to 34 years of age comprised 51.4 percent.

One in every three or 32.7 percent of the OFWs were laborers and unskilled workers. Around 15.5 percent worked as service workers and shop and market sales workers.

“OFWs who worked as plant and machine operators and assemblers comprised 13.6 percent; trade and related workers, 12.8 percent, and professionals, 10.6 percent,” NSO said.

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