The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) recorded more than 2.7 million overseas Filipino worker deployments in 2025, marking the first time the figure has surpassed that level, driven largely by the reopening of the Kuwait labor market and growing demand from several European countries.
Based on the agency’s latest preliminary data, total deployment last year climbed to over 2.7 million, up by 15.43 percent from the 2.37 million recorded in 2024.
Most of those deployed in 2025 were land-based workers, with more than 2.15 million Filipinos leaving for overseas jobs. Sea-based deployment was placed at 589,179.
Among land-based destinations, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the top host country after logging 397,892 deployments, overtaking the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which recorded 386,699.
Singapore ranked third with 221,492, followed by Hong Kong with 202,415, Qatar with 160,890, Taiwan with 134,363, and Kuwait with 106,394. Japan recorded 60,748 deployments, South Korea had 38,390, and Malaysia registered 35,052.
Of the leading destinations, only Saudi Arabia posted a decline in deployment compared to the previous year, dropping to 386,699 from 419,355 in 2024.
Kuwait, meanwhile, posted the highest growth rate after deployment jumped by 39.45 percent from 76,272 in 2024 to 106,394 in 2025, following the lifting of its visa ban for Filipino skilled workers, including domestic workers.
The ban had been imposed after the DMW restricted the deployment of Filipino domestic workers to Kuwait following the murder of OFW Jullebee Ranara.
DMW officials also pointed to the rising deployment in non-traditional European markets, including Croatia, which recorded 964 OFWs last year compared to 389 in 2024. Hungary’s deployment increased to 1,493 from 867, while the Czech Republic recorded 1,113 from 445.
The agency said it welcomed the growing demand from Europe, noting that these destinations often hire skilled workers and offer better working conditions compared to more traditional markets in the Middle East and Asia.
DMW said it plans to pursue more bilateral agreements this year to help ensure that the growing number of Filipinos working abroad are covered by safe and fair employment conditions.
