By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Higher salaries and improved employment opportunities remain the primary reasons many Filipinos choose to work overseas, according to separate studies that highlight continuing concerns over wages, job quality, and economic security in the Philippines.
A recent survey conducted by global consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) found that nearly seven out of 10 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) cited higher earning potential as the leading factor behind their decision to seek employment abroad.
The study, conducted among more than 1,300 OFWs working in various countries across Asia, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and the United States, showed that financial considerations remain the strongest motivation for overseas migration.
Aside from better pay, respondents identified improved quality of life, the need to support their families and finance their children’s education, personal growth, and limited employment opportunities in the Philippines as key reasons for working overseas.
The report also revealed that almost half of surveyed OFWs serve as the primary breadwinners of their households, with remittances continuing to play a critical role in sustaining daily family expenses.
BCG noted that overseas employment has become an important pathway for many Filipino families seeking greater financial stability and upward economic mobility.
Meanwhile, a separate nationwide survey conducted by OCTA Research found that more than half of adult Filipinos have considered moving abroad.
Among those expressing interest in migration, better job prospects ranked as the top motivation, followed closely by higher wages and improved living conditions.
Although the two surveys covered different groups of respondents, both pointed to the same underlying factors influencing migration decisions: employment opportunities, income levels, and quality of life.
The findings come as labor market challenges persist in the country. Latest government data showed increases in both unemployment and underemployment, indicating that many Filipinos continue to struggle in finding sufficient and adequately compensated work.
Economic analysts have also raised concerns about the gap between prevailing wages and the actual cost of maintaining a decent standard of living, prompting labor groups to push for higher minimum wages amid rising prices of basic goods and services.
The surveys underscore the continuing appeal of overseas employment for many Filipinos as they seek better economic opportunities and greater financial security for their families.
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