Six out of 10 Filipinos willing to live or work abroad — OCTA survey

15 Jun 2026 • 11:48 AM MYT
The Manila Times
The Manila Times

One of the longest-running English broadsheets in the Philippines

Six out of 10 Filipinos willing to live or work abroad — OCTA survey

MANILA, Philippines — Nearly six out of 10 Filipinos are willing to live or work abroad if given the opportunity, a survey conducted by OCTA Research showed.

In its Tugon ng Masa survey conducted from March 19-25, 2026, 57 percent of respondents said they are willing to migrate overseas to live or work, while 39 percent said that they will not.

OCTA said that the finding suggests migration remains a "mainstream aspiration among Filipinos rather than a preference limited to specific sectors of society, and continues to occupy an important place in how many Filipinos envision economic advancement, career development, and long-term family well-being.”

Respondents in Balanced Luzon showed the highest willingness to live or work abroad at 59 percent, while younger Filipinos ages 18-34 were the highest among age groups who want to live or work overseas at a combined 75 percent.

The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus or minus three percent nationwide.