The number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) leaving the country has dropped sharply this year, reflecting the growing effect of conflicts and travel disruptions in major overseas destinations.
OFW deployment fell by 30 percent to just over 980,000 during the first seven months of the year, compared with the same period in 2025, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
The decline comes as the conflict in the Middle East continues to affect travel, employment decisions, and the movement of workers across the region.
For many Filipinos planning to work abroad, the situation has created uncertainty and encouraged some to delay their departure.
The latest figure is also significantly lower than the more than 2.2 million OFWs deployed throughout the previous year. The drop shows how international developments can quickly affect Filipino workers, especially those seeking jobs in countries where conflict or transportation problems are present.
New Hires and Rehires Both Record Decline
The decrease was seen across almost all categories of overseas hiring. New hires experienced one of the biggest drops, falling from 231,384 in the first seven months of 2025 to 82,377 during the same period this year.
Rehired workers also declined, although by a smaller margin. Their number fell from 910,142 to 762,207 year-on-year.
The only category that recorded growth was the Seasonal Workers Program (SWP). Deployments under the program increased from 7,111 last year to 8,623 this year.
The figures suggest that the slowdown is not limited to workers leaving the country for the first time. Even Filipinos who have previously worked abroad and are returning to their jobs are being affected.
Several factors may explain this pattern, but the DMW has pointed particularly to the ongoing conflicts in destination countries and the resulting disruption to international flights. Workers who have employment opportunities may still choose to wait until conditions become more stable before traveling.
Sea-Based Workers Also Feel the Impact
The decline is also evident among Filipino sea-based workers, a group that has traditionally played an important role in the country’s overseas workforce.
From January to July, the number of deployed sea-based OFWs dropped to 127,466 from 338,119 during the same period last year. This represents another major reduction in overseas deployment.
The slowdown has also been recorded across different occupations and skill levels. Workers in elementary occupations, skilled positions, and professional jobs have all experienced reductions in deployment.
Despite the overall decline, certain occupations continue to account for a significant share of newly hired land-based OFWs. These include:
- Domestic cleaners and helpers, with 24,794 workers;
- Domestic housekeepers, with 13,996;
- Manufacturing laborers not elsewhere classified, with 8,436;
- Waiters, with 1,981;
- Welders and flame cutters, with 1,169;
- Nursing professionals, with 1,095;
- Cooks, with 875;
- Stationary plant and machine operators not elsewhere classified, with 731; and
- Child-care workers, with 666.
Middle East Destinations Suffer the Biggest Decline
The Middle East recorded the largest decline among the major regions receiving land-based Filipino workers. Deployment in the region fell by 34.46 percent, from 587,931 to 385,301 during the first seven months.
The drop came amid the continuing conflict between the United States and Iran in the region, which has raised concerns about safety, transportation, and employment conditions.
Saudi Arabia, the leading destination for land-based OFWs, also recorded a substantial decrease. Deployment to the Kingdom fell by 33.55 percent, from 221,173 to 147,021 workers.
Other major destinations also reported lower deployment figures. These included the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Hong Kong, Qatar, Taiwan, Japan, Kuwait, and South Korea.
The widespread decline indicates that the slowdown is not limited to one country. Instead, it reflects a broader change in the movement of Filipino workers to major overseas labor markets.
OFWs Delay Travel Amid Conflict and Flight Disruptions
The DMW earlier attributed the decline partly to OFWs voluntarily deferring their plans to go abroad because of ongoing conflicts in their destination countries, particularly in the Middle East.
For workers, postponing deployment can be a practical decision when safety and transportation conditions are uncertain. Even when a job has already been secured, concerns about reaching the destination safely can influence whether a worker chooses to leave immediately.
Flight disruptions have added another challenge. Conflicts in the region can lead to canceled, delayed, or rerouted flights, making overseas travel more difficult for workers and employers alike.
Still, the overall picture is not negative across every destination. Australia was the only country among the top destinations that recorded an increase, with deployment rising from 17,320 to 18,596.
The difference between Australia and the other major destinations highlights how important stability is to overseas employment. While workers continue to seek opportunities abroad, countries with safer and more stable conditions may become more attractive when uncertainty rises elsewhere.
The current decline also demonstrates the vulnerability of OFW deployment to global events. Changes in security conditions, transportation, and regional stability can directly affect the ability of Filipinos to pursue employment overseas.
OFW Earnings Remain Important for Families Back Home
Despite the decline in deployment, OFWs who are already working abroad continue to play an important role in supporting families in the Philippines. Their earnings help cover daily expenses, education, housing, medical needs, and other household costs.
With fewer workers being deployed, maintaining efficient ways to send money home becomes even more important for families that depend on overseas income. Every peso saved on transfer costs can mean more money available for household needs.
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