Decrease in OFW seen in April - September 2000
- The number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who worked abroad from April to September 2000 was estimated at 978 thousand, down by 3.7 percent over the 1,016 thousand in the same period in 1999.
- Across regions, Southern Tagalog reported the biggest number of OFWs at 198 thousand. On the other hand, Caraga reported the least number at eight thousand.
- A decrease in the number of OFWs was observed in nine regions namely the National Capital Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Western Mindanao, Southern Mindanao, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and Caraga.
- Likewise, the number of Overseas Contract Workers (OCWs), who comprised 94.3 percent of the total OFWs, went down by 4.5 percentage points from 965 thousand in April - September 1999 to 922 thousand in April - September 2000.
- Southern Tagalog (189 thousand) still reported the highest number of OCWs followed by the National Capital Region (161 thousand) and Central Luzon (120 thousand). The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao reported the least number at seven thousand.
- A decrease in the number of OCWs was also observed in nine regions namely the National Capital Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Western Mindanao, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and Caraga
Male OFWs Outnumbered Female OFWs
- Of the 978 thousand OFWs, 527 thousand or 53.9 percent were males while 451 thousand or 46.1 percent were females. This translates to a ratio of 117 males for every 100 females.
- The number of male and female OFWs declined over that of the 6-month period of the previous year. Male OFWs decreased by 2.6 percent while female OFWs decreased by 5.1 percent.
The bulk of OFWs were in the 25 to 29 age group
- In April to September 2000, the bulk of OFWs were in the 25 to 29 age group. Most of these OFWs were female. Male OFWs were concentrated at the older age group, 45 and over.
Majority of OFWs Worked in Asia
- Of the 978 thousand OFWs, 756 thousand or 77.3 percent worked in Asia. Other areas where OFWs reportedly worked were in Europe (91 thousand or 9.3%), North and South America (80 thousand or 8.2%), Australia (24 thousand or 3.0%), Africa (8 thousand or 1.0%), and other countries (16 thousand or 2.0%).
- Among the 756 thousand OFWs in Asian countries, the largest number of OFWs, 256 thousand (33.9 %) were in Saudi Arabia. This was followed by Hongkong with 120 thousand or 15.9 %.
- Most of the male OFWs (196 thousand) worked in Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, most of the female OFWs (112 thousand) worked in Hongkong.
OFWs Usually Worked as Production and Related Workers, Transport Equipment Operators and Laborers
- Eight in ten OFWs worked as production and related workers, transport and equipment operators and laborers, and service workers. Only 14.0 percent or 137 thousand OFWs were professional, technical and related workers.
- Of the 393 thousand OFWs working as production and related workers, 35.1 percent worked as transport equipment operators, 14.5 percent as electrical fitters and related electrical and electronics workers.
- Of the 372 thousand OFWs working as service workers, 297 thousand or 79.8 percent were helpers and related housekeeping service workers, 47 thousand or 12.6 percent were cooks, waiters, bartenders and related workers.
- Two thirds of male OFWs (67.0%), worked as production and related workers transport and equipment operators and laborers. Female OFWs on the other hand, mostly worked as service workers, 68.5 percent of the total female OFWs.
Total Remittance Higher by 4.3 Billion Pesos
- From April to September 2000, the total remittance of OFWs amounted to P55.1 billion, higher by P4.3 billion from P50.8 billion in the same period last year. Cash remittances amounted to P37.2 billion (67.5%); cash brought home, P13.8 billion (25.0%); and remittance in kind, P4.1 billion 7.5%).
- Average monthly remittance during the 6-month period was estimated at P66,146, an increase of P7,733 from P58,413 last year. Male OFWs sent higher remittance of P80,427 or P13,404 per month while their female counterparts sent an average remittance of P48,287 or P8,048 per month.
Greater Number of OFWs Sent Cash Remittances Through Bank
- Of the 781 thousand OFWs who sent cash remittances, 520 thousand or 66.6 percent used banks while 28.8 percent used door-to-door delivery service. Others sent remittance through friends/co-workers (2.3%), agencies or local offices (1.5%).
- Cash remittances sent through banks amounted to P27.0 billion or 72.5 percent of the total cash remittances. Cash remitted through door-to-door delivery amounted to P9.0 billion or 24.1 percent, while the remaining 3.4 percent or P1.3 billion were sent through agencies or local offices, friends/co-workers and other means.
OFWs in Asia Remitted the Highest Cash Amount
- From 1999 to 2000, OFWs in Asia (where majority of total OFWs worked) consistently sent the highest cash remittances. The total cash remittances sent by OFWs in Asia from April to September 2001, amounted to P26.5 billion with an average remittance of P43,879. Following next were OFWs in Europe and North & South America, who sent cash remittances of P4.3 billion (with an average of P58,967) and P3.9 billion (with an average of P61,567), respectively.
Biggest Share of Cash Remittance Came from Production and Related Workers, Transport Equipment Operators and Laborers, and Service Workers
- The biggest share of cash remittances was sent by OFWs working as production and related workers, transport and equipment operators and laborers, and service workers. Of the total P37.2 billion cash remittances, 70.6 percent or P26.2 billion were sent by these types of OFWs.
- However, in terms of average cash remittance, administrative, executive and managerial workers sent the highest average cash remittance of P132,755 followed by professional, technical and related workers with P72,696. Service workers remitted the least with only P34,633.
(Sgd.) CARMELITA N. ERICTA
Administrator
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EXPLANATORY TEXT
The data presented in this press release were taken from the yearly Survey on Overseas Filipinos (SOF) from 1999 to 2000. The SOF gathers estimates on the number of overseas Filipinos including overseas workers and their socio-economic characteristics, and the amount of cash and in kind transfers received by the families and mode of remittances. Only the data for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are reported in this release.
Unlike the previous results, this year’s estimates are based on the 1995 Census-based Population Projections.
The data on overseas workers have the following limitations:
- Overseas Filipino workers in the SOF include overseas contract workers (OCWs) who are presently and temporarily out of the country to fulfill an overseas contract for a specific length of time or who are presently at home on vacation but still has an existing contract to work abroad; other Filipino workers abroad with valid working visa or work permits; and those who have no working visa or work permits (tourist, visitor, student, medical, and other types of non-immigrant visas) but are presently employed and working full time.
- The overseas workers covered in this report are those who worked abroad during the period April 1 to September 30. Hence, these are only a portion of the totality of workers who are abroad during this period. The workers who are at home on vacation from their jobs abroad who left earlier than April 1 of the reference year are also included in said totality and included in this report.
- The SOF does not ask for the total salary received by the OFWs. Hence, the remittances presented in the results may just be part of the total salary received by the OFWs.
Source: National Statistics Office
Manila, Philippines
