The Philippines sent more workers abroad in 2025 than in any year before. Seven months into 2026, deployment was down by a third. If your business depends on Filipino talent, both numbers belong in your 2027 plan.
This article breaks down the latest Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) data, explains what changed, and sets out how employers can plan around a more volatile market.
2025: a record year for Filipino deployment
The DMW recorded more than 2.7 million overseas Filipino worker (OFW) deployments in 2025, up 15.43% from 2.37 million in 2024.
The five largest land-based destinations were:
- United Arab Emirates: 397,892
- Saudi Arabia: 386,699
- Singapore: 221,492
- Hong Kong: 202,415
- Qatar: 160,890
Kuwait grew fastest among major markets, up 39.45% (from 76,272 to 106,394). Smaller European markets also grew quickly, a trend we cover in our guide to hiring Filipino workers in Europe.
2026: a 34% reset
From January to July 2026, the Philippines deployed 980,673 workers, compared with 1,486,756 in the same months of 2025. That is a 34% decline.
- Land-based deployment fell 25%, to 853,207.
- Sea-based deployment fell 62%, to 127,466.
The main driver was conflict in the Middle East, which disrupted flights, job orders and deployment advisories across the Gulf. In April, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac reported that some workers were choosing not to proceed with their deployment. Industry analysts also noted fewer job orders, particularly for household service workers, as Gulf markets slowly normalised.
What the numbers mean for employers
Volatility is now the baseline
A market that can swing from a record year to a one-third drop within months is not one to plan around with a single hiring wave. Build your plan to absorb shocks.
Demand has not disappeared
The decline reflects disruption, not a collapse in employer demand. Projects still need people. When conditions ease, employers with candidates already screened and documented will mobilise first.
Concentration is a risk
The Gulf remains the largest destination for Filipino workers. Employers who rely on a single corridor, a single role type or a single mobilisation date carry the most risk.
How to plan 2027 hiring around volatility
- Pre-qualify, don't pause. Keep sourcing, testing and documenting candidates so you can move as soon as conditions allow.
- Spread your risk. Phase mobilisation and avoid depending on one market or one batch date.
- Keep job orders current. Outdated job orders and contract terms are a common cause of delay when a market reopens.
- Track official advisories. Deployment status can change week to week. Your recruitment partner should monitor DMW guidance for you.
- Plan around regulation as well as demand. Japan, the European Union and the Gulf are all changing the rules in 2027.
Reading the data correctly
Deployment numbers count departures, not people. A worker who leaves twice in a year, or a seafarer who joins two vessels, can appear more than once. That makes the totals a measure of activity in the market rather than a headcount of Filipinos abroad.
The split between land-based and sea-based work also matters. In 2026, sea-based deployment fell much faster than land-based deployment, down 62% compared with 25%. Employers in shipping and offshore work felt the disruption earlier and harder than most land-based employers.
Where growth is still visible
Not every corridor is shrinking. The 2025 data showed strong growth in markets outside the traditional Gulf and Asian destinations, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. Japan is also preparing a new foreign worker system for April 2027, and the Philippine and Japanese governments met in October 2026 to discuss pathways for Filipino workers. Employers looking at these markets should start building pipelines now, while competition is still limited.
Questions to ask before you set a 2027 budget
- How many of your planned hires depend on a single destination or a single flight route?
- How long does it take your current partner to move a candidate from shortlist to departure?
- What happens to candidates you have already interviewed if deployment is paused for a month?
- Which of your roles are hard to fill in any market, and which can wait?
The answers will show where your plan is fragile, and where a little early preparation would make the biggest difference.
Planning a 2027 hiring cycle? Book a workforce planning call with Mori at moriglobal.com/contact.
How Mori International supports employers
Mori International has recruited Filipino talent since 1994 and has deployed more than 100,000 workers. We are licensed by the Department of Migrant Workers (License No. DMW-118-LB-06222023-R). Our AI- and system-managed process keeps candidate pipelines screened, documented and ready, so clients can move quickly when markets change.
Frequently asked questions
How many OFWs were deployed in 2025?
The DMW recorded more than 2.7 million OFW deployments in 2025, a 15.43% increase on 2024 and a record year.
Why did OFW deployment fall in 2026?
Deployment from January to July 2026 fell 34% year on year, mainly because conflict in the Middle East disrupted flights, job orders and deployment advisories in the Gulf.
Can employers still hire Filipino workers for the Gulf?
It depends on current DMW advisories, which change quickly. On 12 October 2026 the DMW said there was no deployment ban to Saudi Arabia, although flights into Riyadh were disrupted. A licensed agency can confirm the current status for your destination.
Related reading
- 2027 Workforce Planning: Three Lessons From a Volatile Year
- Ready When the Gulf Normalises: A Hiring Plan for Disrupted Times
Sources
- DMW: UAE tops list as 2.7 million OFWs leave in 2025 (The Global Filipino Magazine, Feb 2026): theglobalfilipinomagazine.com
- OFW deployment falls sharply through mid-2026 (The Global Filipino Magazine, Sept 2026): theglobalfilipinomagazine.com
- DMW: Deployment declines as OFWs back out amid Middle East conflict (GMA News, Apr 2026): gmanetwork.com
- DMW: No deployment ban for Saudi-bound OFWs (Philstar, 13 Oct 2026): philstar.com