A Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey has reported that 7% of Filipino households have a member who is currently working abroad.
The report, which was based on the Fourth Quarter 2022 SWS conducted from December 10-14, 2022, had a sample size of 1,200 adults (18 years old and above) nationwide with a Sampling Error Margin of ±2.8%.
Of the households with an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), 75% reported that their household OFWs often send or give money, while 17% said it happens sometimes, 5% said it's seldom, and 3% said it never happens.
In terms of aspirations, the report also revealed that nearly 2 out of 10 adult Filipinos (17%) want to live abroad, while 7% are currently looking for work overseas.
The top countries cited as the desired destination for work abroad were Canada (16%), followed by Saudi Arabia (12%), Kuwait (9%), United Arab Emirates (9%), Japan (7%), Qatar (6%), and the United States of America (6%).
The report sheds light on the importance of OFWs to the Philippine economy, as well as the aspirations of many Filipinos to work and live abroad.
It also highlights the significant role that remittances play in the financial stability of many households in the Philippines.