The number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who worked abroad at anytime during the period April to September 2006 reached 1.52 million. The 2006 estimate represents an increase of 14.3 percent over the 1.33 million OFWs estimated for the period April to September 2005. The Overseas Contract Workers (OCWs) or those with existing work-contract abroad comprised 91.4 percent (1.38 million) of the total OFWs during the period April to September 2006. This number is 14.0 percent more than the 1.21 million OCWs for the same months in 2005. OFWs who were laborers or unskilled workers, that is, domestic helpers, cleaners and manufacturing laborers comprised 35.1 percent of the total OFWs. Those who were trade workers or trade-related workers made up 14.7 percent, while those who were service workers and shop and market sales workers accounted for 13.8 percent.

More males (64.1% of total unemployed) were unemployed than among females (35.9%). By age group, for every 10 unemployed persons, five (49.2%) were in the age group 15 - 24 years while three (30.3%) were in the age group 25 - 34.

The number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who worked abroad at anytime during the period April to September 2008 reached 2.0 million as reported by their families. The 2008 estimate represents an increase of 14.6 percent over the 1.7 million OFWs estimated for the period April to September 2007. The Overseas Contract Workers (OCWs) or those with existing work contract abroad comprised 94.0 percent (1.9 million) of the total OFWs during the period April to September 2008. This number is 16.6 percent more than the 1.6 million OCWs for the same period in 2007.