Researchers at OCTA say the appeal of working overseas now extends to a majority of the country’s adult population, with economic motivations far outweighing concerns about safety or governance.
In its latest “Tugon ng Masa” survey, the polling group recorded that 57 percent of adult Filipinos would consider relocating abroad for work or residence should the opportunity arise. The findings drew on face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents conducted between March 19 and 25, carrying a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.
Career prospects stood out as the dominant driver behind this openness. Sixty-seven percent of those inclined to leave pointed to better job opportunities, while 61 percent named higher pay and 58 percent cited an improved standard of living. By contrast, worries tied to political instability and personal security registered well down the list of reasons.
OCTA framed the results as evidence of ambition rather than desperation. “Filipinos view migration as a pathway to advancement rather than an escape from hardship,” the group noted.
Age and education sharpened the picture. Among Filipinos between 18 and 24, willingness reached 81 percent—the highest of any group surveyed. College-educated respondents followed closely, with 73 percent saying they would weigh a move overseas.
Not everyone shared the inclination. Thirty-nine percent of those polled indicated they would rather stay in the Philippines, and another 4 percent gave no firm answer either way.
The researchers also turned the data toward government, arguing that the scale of interest should prompt reflection on conditions at home. “When 57% of Filipinos say they would rather work abroad, the primary policy question is not how to stop them—it is why domestic jobs, wages, and career pathways are not competitive enough to keep them,” OCTA wrote in its report.
